Goto
Within a batch program, directs Windows XP to a line identified by a label. When the label is found, it processes the commands that begin on the next line.
Syntax
goto label
Parameters
label : Specifies the line in a batch program that you want to go to.
/? : Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
Working with command extensions
If command extensions are enabled (that is, the default) and you use the goto command with a target label of :EOF, you transfer control to the end of the current batch script file and exit the batch script file without defining a label. When you use goto with the :EOF label, you must insert a colon before the label. For example:
goto :EOF
For a description of extensions to the call command that make this feature useful, see cmd in Related Topics.
Using valid label values
You can use spaces in the label parameter, but you cannot include other separators (for example, semicolons or equal signs). The goto command uses only the first eight characters of a label. For example, the following labels are equivalent and resolve to :hithere0:
:hithere0
:hithere01
:hithere02
Matching label with the label in the batch program
The label value you specify must match a label in the batch program. The label within the batch program must begin with a colon (:). Windows XP recognizes a batch program line beginning with a colon (:) as a label and does not process it as a command. If a line begins with a colon, any commands on that line are ignored. If your batch program does not contain the label that you specify, the batch program stops and displays the following message:
Label not found
Using goto for conditional operations
You can use goto with other commands to perform conditional operations. For more information about using goto for conditional operations, see if in Related Topics.
Examples
The following batch program formats a disk in drive A as a system disk. If the operation is successful, the goto command directs Windows XP to the :end label:
echo off format a: /s if not errorlevel 1 goto end echo An error occurred during formatting. :end echo End of batch program.
Formatting legend
Format |
Meaning |
|---|---|
Italic |
Information that the user must supply |
Bold |
Elements that the user must type exactly as shown |
Ellipsis (...) |
Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line |
Between brackets ([]) |
Optional items |
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} |
Set of choices from which the user must choose only one |
Courier font |
Code or program output |