如何通过 gci 搜索使用 Powershell Invoke-Item？

Question

I'm trying to build a Powershell script that uses the Invoke-Item cmdlet once I've found the files using the following script:

gci -Recurse -File *.xls* C:\folder_example\'  |  sort LastWriteTime | Select -last 2 | 

I'm not sure how best to implement the Invoke-Item cmdlet from here?

Answer 1

In its simplest usage, Invoke-Item (aliased as ii ) just needs a path given to it either through pipeline or through a parameter.

In this case, it could be as simple as adding | Invoke-Item | Invoke-Item to the end of your command:

gci -Recurse -File *.xls* C:\folder_example\ | sort LastWriteTime | select -Last 2 | Invoke-Item

One thing I will mention, is that I have found that certain programs cannot handle a bunch of files thrown at them in quick succession like this script will do.

I usually run into this when trying to open a bunch of files in Notepad++.

I'm going to simplify the command a bit just to keep it short...but usually one of these two changes will fix my problem:

Get-ChildItem -Filter *.xls* | ForEach-Object { Invoke-Item $_.FullName }

Placing the call into a ForEach-Object script block will sometimes fix this. I'm not 100% why this fixes it, I have some theories but that's all they are, so I will keep them out of this answer. But it always fixes the issue for me when using Invoke-Item on Notepad++ files.

Some programs, like Excel, have a start up splash screen and some lag before they eventually open. So you could always throw a sleep in there just to help slow things down a bit in case you are still having trouble:

Get-ChildItem -Filter *.xls* | ForEach-Object { Start-Sleep 0.1; Invoke-Item $_.FullName }

That will add a small 100ms pause just to give whatever application you are running to have a little time to process.