How to Create a Formatting File (.format.ps1xml)

This topic describes how to create a formatting file (.format.ps1xml).

Note

You can also create a formatting file by making a copy of one of the files provided by Windows PowerShell. If you make a copy of an existing file, delete the existing digital signature, and add your own signature to the new file.

Create a .format.ps1xml file.

1. Create a text file (.txt) using a text editor such as Notepad.

2. Copy the following lines into the formatting file.

   <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
   <Configuration>
   <ViewDefinitions>
   </ViewDefinitions>
   </Configuration>
   

   • The <Configuration></Configuration> tags define the root Configuration node. All additional XML tags will be enclosed within this node.

   • The <ViewDefinitions></ViewDefinitions> tags define the ViewDefinitions node. All views are defined within this node.

3. Save the file to the Windows PowerShell installation folder, to your module folder, or to a subfolder of the module folder. Use the following name format when you save the file: MyFile.format.ps1xml. Formatting files must use the .format.ps1xml extension.

   You are now ready to add views to the formatting file. There is no limit to the number of views that can be defined in a formatting file. You can add a single view for each object, multiple views for the same object, or a single view that is used by multiple objects.

See Also

Writing a Windows PowerShell Formatting and Types File