Type
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Displays the contents of a text file. Use the type command to view a text file without modifying it.
For examples of how to use this command, see Examples.
Syntax
type [<Drive>:][<Path>]<FileName>
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
[<Drive>:][<Path>]<FileName> |
Specifies the location and name of the file or files that you want to view. Separate multiple file names with spaces. |
/? |
Displays help at the command prompt. |
Remarks
If FileName contains spaces, enclose it in quotation marks (for example, "File Name Containing Spaces.txt").
If you display a binary file or a file that is created by a program, you may see strange characters on the screen, including formfeed characters and escape-sequence symbols. These characters represent control codes that are used in the binary file. In general, avoid using the type command to display binary files.
Examples
To display the contents of a file named Holiday.mar, type:
type holiday.mar
To display the contents of a lengthy file named Holiday.mar one screen at a time, type:
type holiday.mar | more