<div>
Try this, you had %%1 instead of %1 in several places...<br />
<br />

<pre><code class="code-1 nolinks" id="code-20-42670181-1"><span>@ECHO OFF</span>
<span>IF EXIST %1 GOTO ITEXIST</span>
<span>ECHO %1 DID NOT EXIST</span>
<span>GOTO EXIT</span>
<span>:ITEXIST</span>
<span>ECHO %1 DID EXIST</span>
<span>:EXIT</span>
<span>ECHO ON</span>
</code></pre>
<hr />
»<b><i>bp</i></b>
</div>


COG Lead Engineer

Shaun Vermaak

<div>
I used %%1 so that I could echo the actual syntax of %1 to the screen instead of displaying the value of %1 to the screen.<br />
Regardless, replacing %%1 with %1 removes the syntax error, but I am still unable to obtain verification that %1 exists.
</div>


<div>
With &quot;%1 exists&quot; you mean (a) %1 has a value or (b) %1 is the name of an existing file?
</div>


<div>
I am merely trying to test to see if there was a value on the command line.<br />
Example<br />
<br />
TEST.BAT <br />
versus<br />
TEST.BAT MONDAY<br />
<br />
I want to test for, and subsequently display the value of MONDAY or whatever word was included on the command line.
</div>


Executive Managing Member

Bill Golden

<div>
Technically correct, but not what you should use. CMD has better options:<br />

<pre><code class="code-1 nolinks" id="code-20-42670225-1"><span>@echo off</span>
<span>if &quot;%1&quot; == &quot;&quot; (</span>
<span>  echo %%1 DID NOT EXIST</span>
<span>) else (</span>
<span>  echo %%1 DID EXIST</span>
<span>)</span>
<span>echo on</span>
</code></pre>
</div>


<div>
Technically correct, but no need for <b>echo on</b> and <b>%%1 DID NOT EXIST</b> should not include %%1. It should be %1 because OP is using it in a batch file<br />

<pre><code class="code-1 nolinks" id="code-20-42670295-1"><span>@echo off</span>
<span>if &quot;%1&quot; == &quot;&quot; (</span>
<span>  echo DID NOT EXIST</span>
<span>) else (</span>
<span>  echo %1 DID EXIST</span>
<span>)</span>
</code></pre>
</div>


<div>
%%1 is used intenionally, it should display as %1 (not the value used).
</div>


<div>
Thanks to everyone. You helped clear the chemo fog from head. &nbsp;In a few hours I will set down and fix several batch files - after I figure out the obvious new method in closing a question.
</div>


<div>
<blockquote>
%%1 is used intenionally, it should display as %1 (not the value used).
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I want to test for, and subsequently <b>display the value of MONDAY or whatever word was included</b> on the command line.
</blockquote>
</div>


<div>
<blockquote>
I used %%1 so that I could echo the actual syntax of %1 to the screen instead of displaying the value of %1 to the screen.
</blockquote>
But yes, that has been said differently later.
</div>


<div>
Correct, before your comment
</div>


<div>
Sorry, have been out sick again. Still working on this.
</div>


<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
Chemo has taken a lot from me. I am having problem with a batch file and have gone back to square 1 to test simple things.<br />
<br />
@ECHO OFF<br />
IF EXIST %1 GOTO ITEXIST<br />
ECHO %%1 DID NOT EXIST<br />
GOTO EXIT<br />
:ITEXIST<br />
ECHO %%1 DID EXIST<br />
:EXIT<br />
ECHO ON<br />
<br />
Why am I getting a syntax error?
</div>
</div>


Chemo has taken a lot from me. I am having problem with a batch file and have gone back to square 1 to test simple things.

@ECHO OFF
IF EXIST %1 GOTO ITEXIST
ECHO %%1 DID NOT EXIST
GOTO EXIT
:ITEXIST
ECHO %%1 DID EXIST
:EXIT
ECHO ON

Why am I getting a syntax error?

Chemo has taken a lot from me. Why am I getting a syntax error in the simple batch file?

Batch files are text files containing a script of commands that are executed by the command interpreter on DOS, OS/2 and Windows systems. Most commonly, they are used to perform a series of functions that are repeated -- copying a set of files created daily with one step, for example.

Windows Batch

Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) was an operating system for x86-based personal computers, and traces of it are still found in the Windows operating system. DOS is still used in some embedded systems and for certain legacy 16-bit networks.