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Prompts the user to select one item from a list of single-character choices in a batch program, and then returns the index of the selected choice. If used without parameters, choice displays the default choices Y and N.
choice [/c [<choice1><choice2><…>]] [/n] [/cs] [/t <timeout> /d <choice>] [/m <text>]
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
/c <choice1><choice2><…> |
Specifies the list of choices to be created. Valid choices include a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and extended ASCII characters (128-254). The default list is YN, which is displayed as [Y,N]? . |
/n | Hides the list of choices, although the choices are still enabled and the message text (if specified by /m) is still displayed. |
/cs | Specifies that the choices are case-sensitive. By default, the choices are not case-sensitive. |
/t <timeout> |
Specifies the number of seconds to pause before using the default choice specified by /d. Acceptable values are from 0 to 9999. If /t is set to 0, choice does not pause before returning the default choice. |
/d <choice> |
Specifies the default choice to use after waiting the number of seconds specified by /t. The default choice must be in the list of choices specified by /c. |
/m <text> |
Specifies a message to display before the list of choices. If /m is not specified, only the choice prompt is displayed. |
/? | Displays help at the command prompt. |
The ERRORLEVEL environment variable is set to the index of the key that the user selects from the list of choices. The first choice in the list returns a value of 1
, the second a value of 2
, and so on. If the user presses a key that is not a valid choice, choice sounds a warning beep.
If choice detects an error condition, it returns an ERRORLEVEL value of 255
. If the user presses CTRL+BREAK or CTRL+C, choice returns an ERRORLEVEL value of 0
.
Note
When you use ERRORLEVEL values in a batch program, you must list them in decreasing order.
To present the choices Y, N, and C, type the following line in a batch file:
choice /c ync
The following prompt appears when the batch file runs the choice command:
[Y,N,C]?
To hide the choices Y, N, and C, but display the text Yes, No, or Continue, type the following line in a batch file:
choice /c ync /n /m "Yes, No, or Continue?"
Note
If you use the /n parameter, but do not use /m, the user is not prompted when choice is waiting for input.
To show both the text and the options used in the previous examples, type the following line in a batch file:
choice /c ync /m "Yes, No, or Continue"
To set a time limit of five seconds and specify N as the default value, type the following line in a batch file:
choice /c ync /t 5 /d n
Note
In this example, if the user doesn't press a key within five seconds, choice selects N by default and returns an error value of 2
. Otherwise, choice returns the value corresponding to the user's choice.
Events
29 Apr, 2 pm - 30 Apr, 7 pm
Join the ultimate Windows Server virtual event April 29-30 for deep-dive technical sessions and live Q&A with Microsoft engineers.
Sign up now