Set-Location : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.

Question

Set-Location : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.

Miguel Cuba 21

Hello Everyone,
I was wondering if someone can help me with the following error:

Set-Location : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.

The script runs properly, it creates the folders and everything, but it always gets that error message.
I am also seeing some
0
1
2
3
As soon as I run the script, do anyone know why?

Here is the full script
Thank you

# Load required assemblies
[void] [System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("System.Windows.Forms")

# Drawing form and controls
$CreateFolder = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Form
    $CreateFolder.Text = "Create Multiple Custodian Folders"
    $CreateFolder.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(350,415)
    $CreateFolder.FormBorderStyle = "FixedDialog"
    $CreateFolder.TopMost = $true
    $CreateFolder.MaximizeBox = $false
    $CreateFolder.MinimizeBox = $false
    $CreateFolder.ControlBox = $true
    $CreateFolder.StartPosition = "CenterScreen"
    $CreateFolder.Font = "Segoe UI"


#======================== CASE NAME ========================#
# adding a label to my form
$label_message = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_message.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,8)
    $label_message.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_message.Text = "Case Name"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_message)    
# CaseName    
    $CaseName = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
    $CaseName.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,30)
    $CaseName.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,25)
    $CaseName.ScrollBars = "Vertical"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($CaseName)


#======================== DROPBOX ========================#
$label_messageCombobox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_messageCombobox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,60)
    $label_messageCombobox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_messageCombobox.Text = "Pick a Server"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_messageCombobox)    

$DropdownBox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox
    $DropdownBox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,80)
    $DropdownBox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,15)
    $DropdownBox.Height = 200
    $Dropdownbox.DropDownStyle = "DropDownList"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($DropdownBox)

    $Servers = @("Lab Machine 40","Lab Machine 45","Lab Machine 50","Lab Machine 55")


    foreach($Server in $Servers){
        $DropdownBox.Items.Add($Server)
    }

Function Get-Server{
    $SelectedServer = $DropdownBox.SelectedItem.ToString()

    if($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 50") {
        $LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server50\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 55") {
        $LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server55\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 40") {
        $LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server40\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 45") {
        $LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server45\K$"
    }


}


#======================== INPUTBOX ========================#
$label_message2 = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_message2.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,110)
    $label_message2.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_message2.Text = "Custodian Names"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_message2)    

# Inputbox    
    $Inputbox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
    $Inputbox.Multiline = $True;
    $Inputbox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,130)
    $Inputbox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,200)
    $Inputbox.ScrollBars = "Vertical"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($Inputbox)


# add a button ti create folder
$button_ClickMe = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
    $button_ClickMe.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,340)
    $button_ClickMe.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(240,32)
    $button_ClickMe.TextAlign = "MiddleCenter"
    $button_ClickMe.Text = "Create Folders"
    $button_ClickMe.Add_Click({Get-Server})
    $button_ClickMe.Add_Click({

    If ($CaseName.TextLength -eq 0){
        [System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show('Please Enter a Case Name')
    }

    elseif ($Inputbox.TextLength -eq 0){
        [System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show('Please enter 1 custodian name')
    }

    else {

    Set-Location $LabServer
    New-Item $CaseName.Text -type directory
    Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
    Set-Location ($LabServer.Text + $CaseName.Text)

    #$button_ClickMe.Text = "Folders were created"

    ForEach ($Folder in $Inputbox.lines) {
        New-Item $Folder -type directory

          }


    }




    })
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($button_ClickMe)


# show form
$CreateFolder.Add_Shown({$CreateFolder.Activate()})
[void] $CreateFolder.ShowDialog()

5 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi @Miguel Cuba ,

If I read your script right you are setting the variable $LabServer in a function.

If you call the function in a script, the script is the parent scope and the function is the child scope. Variables in a child scope are by default not available in the parent scope: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_scopes?view=powershell-7.1#parent-and-child-scopes
This means by default the variables in functions are not available in the script.
It's possible to change the scope of a variable. Please try this:

Function Get-Server{  
    $SelectedServer = $DropdownBox.SelectedItem.ToString()  
     
    if($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 50") {  
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server50\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 55") {  
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server55\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 40") {  
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server40\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 45") {  
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server45\K$"  
    }  
     
     
}

Here you can find a simple script for testing the scope of variables in script and functions:
https://github.com/abaumgarten42/Useful_PSscripts/blob/main/variables-ScriptAndFunctions/variables-ScriptAndFunctions.ps1

----------

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten

Answer 2

Thank you for the response,

I made the changes you suggested, but the issue persists. There is one more new error:

Here are the Errors

Set-Location : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.
At C:\APPS\Scripts\CreateFolder - Test.ps1:104 char:9
+         Set-Location $LabServer
+         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: (:) [Set-Location], PSArgumentNullException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ArgumentNull,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.SetLocationCommand

New-Item : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Path' because it is an empty string.
At C:\APPS\Scripts\CreateFolder - Test.ps1:111 char:22
+             New-Item $Folder -type directory
+                      ~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidData: (:) [New-Item], ParameterBindingValidationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorEmptyStringNotAllowed,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.NewItemCommand

Thank you for all your help

Here is the full script:
# Load required assemblies
[void] [System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("System.Windows.Forms")

# Drawing form and controls
$CreateFolder = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Form
    $CreateFolder.Text = "Create Multiple Custodian Folders"
    $CreateFolder.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(350,415)
    $CreateFolder.FormBorderStyle = "FixedDialog"
    $CreateFolder.TopMost = $true
    $CreateFolder.MaximizeBox = $false
    $CreateFolder.MinimizeBox = $false
    $CreateFolder.ControlBox = $true
    $CreateFolder.StartPosition = "CenterScreen"
    $CreateFolder.Font = "Segoe UI"


#======================== CASE NAME ========================#
# adding a label to my form
$label_message = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_message.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,8)
    $label_message.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_message.Text = "Case Name"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_message)    
# CaseName    
    $CaseName = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
    $CaseName.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,30)
    $CaseName.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,25)
    $CaseName.ScrollBars = "Vertical"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($CaseName)


#======================== DROPBOX ========================#
$label_messageCombobox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_messageCombobox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,60)
    $label_messageCombobox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_messageCombobox.Text = "Pick a Server"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_messageCombobox)    

$DropdownBox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox
    $DropdownBox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,80)
    $DropdownBox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,15)
    $DropdownBox.Height = 200
    $Dropdownbox.DropDownStyle = "DropDownList"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($DropdownBox)

    $Servers = @("Lab Machine 40","Lab Machine 45","Lab Machine 50","Lab Machine 55")


    foreach($Server in $Servers){
        $DropdownBox.Items.Add($Server)
    }

Function Get-Server{
    $SelectedServer = $DropdownBox.SelectedItem.ToString()

    if($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 50") {
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server50\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 55") {
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server55\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 40") {
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server40\K$"
    }
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 45") {
        $script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server45\K$"
    }
}

#======================== INPUTBOX ========================#
$label_message2 = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
    $label_message2.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,110)
    $label_message2.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(100,15)
    $label_message2.Text = "Custodian Names"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($label_message2)    

# Inputbox    
    $Inputbox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
    $Inputbox.Multiline = $True;
    $Inputbox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(20,130)
    $Inputbox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,200)
    $Inputbox.ScrollBars = "Vertical"
    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($Inputbox)

 #======================== BUTTON ========================#   
# add a button ti create folder
$button_ClickMe = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
    $button_ClickMe.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(45,340)
    $button_ClickMe.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(240,32)
    $button_ClickMe.TextAlign = "MiddleCenter"
    $button_ClickMe.Text = "Create Folders"
    $button_ClickMe.Add_Click({Get-Server})
    $button_ClickMe.Add_Click({

    If ($CaseName.TextLength -eq 0){
        [System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show('Please Enter a Case Name')
    }

    elseif ($Inputbox.TextLength -eq 0){
        [System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show('Please enter 1 custodian name')
    }

    else {
        Set-Location $LabServer
        New-Item $CaseName.Text -type directory
        Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
        Set-Location ($LabServer.Text + $CaseName.Text)
        #$button_ClickMe.Text = "Folders were created"

        ForEach ($Folder in $Inputbox.lines) {
            New-Item $Folder -type directory
        }


  #======================== YES OR NO MESSAGE ========================#    
    $UserResponse= [System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show("Do you want to continue? YES for a new Case, NO to Exit" , "Create Folders", 4)

        if ($UserResponse -eq "YES" ) 
        {
            $CaseName.Text = ''
            $Inputbox.Text = ''
        } 
        else 
        { 
            [System.Windows.Forms.Application]::Exit()
        } 

    }

   })

    $CreateFolder.Controls.Add($button_ClickMe)


# show form
$CreateFolder.Add_Shown({$CreateFolder.Activate()})
[void] $CreateFolder.ShowDialog()

Answer 3

Andreas Baumgarten 123.4K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Hi @Miguel Cuba ,

what is the output of $LabServer.Text and $CaseName.Text ?
Both variables you are combing in line 104.

A variable doesn't have the property Text. The value of a variable is in the property Value.

You could test this:

Get-Variable LabServer | Select *  
Get-Varibale CaseName | Select *

----------

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten

Answer 4

Hi，

The Set-Location cmdlet generates no output by default so the variable $LabServer is null. Since the location is set in the Add_Click you should just set the value of $LabServer in the function Get-Server. The 0,1,2,3 are generated by the line $DropdownBox.Items.Add($Server). To remove it you can send the output to null using the Out-Null cmdelt.

foreach($Server in $Servers){  
    $DropdownBox.Items.Add($Server) | Out-Null  
}  
  
Function Get-Server{  
    $SelectedServer = $DropdownBox.SelectedItem.ToString()  
  
    if($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 50") {  
        $script:LabServer = "\\Server50\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 55") {  
        $script:LabServer = "\\Server55\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 40") {  
        $script:LabServer = "\\Server40\K$"  
    }  
    elseif($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 45") {  
        $script:LabServer = "\\Server45\K$"  
    }  
}

And the variable $folder should be checked before creating the folders.

Set-Location ($CaseName.Text)  
ForEach ($Folder in $Inputbox.lines) {  
        if ($Folder){  
            New-Item $Folder -type directory  
        }  
    }

Best Regards,
Ian Xue

============================================

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Answer 5

Miguel Cuba 21

Thank you so much for both of your help!
I was able to remove the 1,2,3,4, and remove the PATH thing.
I added -PassThru after the Set-Location

    if($SelectedServer -eq "Lab Machine 50") {
        $Script:LabServer = Set-Location "\\Server50\K$" -PassThru

But now I am getting the following:

New-Item : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Path' because it is an empty string.
At C:\APPS\Scripts\CreateFolder - Test.ps1:112 char:22
+             New-Item $Folder -type directory
+                      ~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidData: (:) [New-Item], ParameterBindingValidationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorEmptyStringNotAllowed,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.NewItemCommand

The error seems to be in

New-Item $Folder -type directory

Andreas Baumgarten 123.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-05-10T17:43:05.277+00:00

What is the content/value of $folder?

Just use a Write-Output "Folder= $Folder" in the line before the New-Item to see the value of $folder

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten
Anonymous

2021-05-11T06:31:38.803+00:00

There are empty lines in $Inputbox.lines. You should check if $folder is empty before creating the directory.
Miguel Cuba 21 Reputation points

2021-05-12T16:44:54.683+00:00

The $Folder is the content in Each Line of the $Inputbox.
So.. if someone has 3 lines for example
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3

$Folder will be... Case 1.... and so on

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Set-Location : Cannot process argument because the value of argument "path" is null. Change the value of argument "path" to a non-null value.

5 answers

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