Write-output is not working with colour

Question

Hi if I am using below command it's working fine.

Write-Host $variable -ForegroundColor Green.

but I have to use "Writeoutput": It's giving me error. Please let me know how to do this with write-output
Write-output $variable -ForegroundColor Green.

Answer 1

Hi @NGaur-3476

This is due to Write-Host and Write-Output being two completely different commands. The Write-Output command does not have the -ForegroundColor flag, so you will not be able to use it for this.

However, you can install TMOutput as described in https://tommymaynard.com/write-output-gets-foreground-and-background-colors-and-more-2016/

Install-Module -Name TMOutput

TMOutput 1.1

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/TMOutput/1.1

Write-Host

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/write-host?view=powershell-7.2

Write-Output

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/write-output?view=powershell-7.2

------------------------------------

If this is helpful please accept answer.

Answer 2

Write-Host and Write-Output are for solving different problems. If you need to display information to the user (such that color matters) then use Write-Host. That is what it is designed for.

Having said that, if you really, really need to use Write-Output to write colored text on the screen then you can do it but you'll have to rely on the host supporting it and ensure you reset everything back when you're done. You'll want a custom function for this.

   $originalColor = $host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor  
   $host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor = "Green"  
   Write-Output "Hello"  
   $host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor = $originalColor  

You are effectively accessing the underlying host's UI, setting the foreground color, rendering your output and then putting everything back. I don't personally recommend it but that would be a workaround.