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Export-ModuleMember

  • Reference
Module:
Microsoft.PowerShell.Core

Specifies the module members that are exported.

Syntax

Export-ModuleMember
      [[-Function] <String[]>]
      [-Cmdlet <String[]>]
      [-Variable <String[]>]
      [-Alias <String[]>]
      [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Export-ModuleMember cmdlet specifies the module members that are exported from a script module (.psm1) file, or from a dynamic module created by using the New-Module cmdlet. Module members include cmdlets, functions, variables, and aliases. This cmdlet can be used only in a script module file or a dynamic module.

If a script module does not include an Export-ModuleMember command, the functions and aliases in the script module are exported, but the variables are not. When a script module includes Export-ModuleMember commands, only the members specified in the Export-ModuleMember commands are exported. You can also use Export-ModuleMember to suppress or export members that the script module imports from other modules.

An Export-ModuleMember command is optional, but it is a best practice. Even if the command confirms the default values, it demonstrates the intention of the module author.

Examples

Example 1: Export functions and aliases in a script module

Export-ModuleMember -Function * -Alias *

This command exports all the functions and aliases defined in the script module.

Example 2: Export specific aliases and functions

Export-ModuleMember -Function Get-Test, New-Test, Start-Test -Alias gtt, ntt, stt

This command exports three aliases and three functions defined in the script module.

You can use this command format to specify the names of module members.

Example 3: Export no members

Export-ModuleMember

This command specifies that no members defined in the script module are exported.

This command prevents the module members from being exported, but it does not hide the members. Users can read and copy module members or use the call operator (&) to invoke module members that are not exported.

Example 4: Export a specific variable

Export-ModuleMember -Variable increment

This command exports only the $increment variable from the script module. No other members are exported.

If you want to export a variable, in addition to exporting the functions in a module, the Export-ModuleMember command must include the names of all of the functions and the name of the variable.

Example 5: Multiple export commands

# From TestModule.psm1
function New-Test
{
    Write-Output 'I am New-Test function'
}
Export-ModuleMember -Function New-Test

function Validate-Test
{
    Write-Output 'I am Validate-Test function'
}
function Start-Test
{
    Write-Output 'I am Start-Test function'
}
Set-Alias stt Start-Test
Export-ModuleMember -Function Start-Test -Alias stt

These commands show how multiple Export-ModuleMember commands are interpreted in a script module (.psm1) file.

These commands create three functions and one alias, and then they export two of the functions and the alias.

Without the Export-ModuleMember commands, all three of the functions and the alias would be exported. With the Export-ModuleMember commands, only the New-Test and Start-Test functions and the STT alias are exported.

Example 6: Export members in a dynamic module

New-Module -Script {function SayHello {"Hello!"}; Set-Alias Hi SayHello; Export-ModuleMember -Alias Hi -Function SayHello}

This command shows how to use Export-ModuleMember in a dynamic module that is created by using the New-Module cmdlet.

In this example, Export-ModuleMember is used to export both the Hi alias and the SayHello function in the dynamic module.

Parameters

-Alias

Specifies the aliases that are exported from the script module file. Enter the alias names. Wildcard characters are permitted.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Cmdlet

Specifies the cmdlets that are exported from the script module file. Enter the cmdlet names. Wildcard characters are permitted.

You cannot create cmdlets in a script module file, but you can import cmdlets from a binary module into a script module and re-export them from the script module.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Function

Specifies the functions that are exported from the script module file. Enter the function names. Wildcard characters are permitted. You can also pipe function name strings to Export-ModuleMember.

Type:String[]
Position:0
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Variable

Specifies the variables that are exported from the script module file. Enter the variable names, without a dollar sign character ($). Wildcard characters are permitted.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:True

Inputs

String

You can pipe function name strings to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None

This cmdlet returns no output.

Notes

  • To exclude a member from the list of exported members, add an Export-ModuleMember command that lists all other members but omits the member that you want to exclude.