Table of Contents

About

Doskey is an utility that:

  • edits command lines,
  • recalls Windows commands,
  • and creates macros.

Syntax

DOSKEY 
  [/REINSTALL]
  [/LISTSIZE=size]
  [/MACROS[:ALL | :exename]]
  [/HISTORY]
  [/INSERT | /OVERSTRIKE] 
  [/EXENAME=exename] 
  [/MACROFILE=filename]
  [macroname=[text]]
Switches Description
/REINSTALL Installs a new copy of Doskey.
/LISTSIZE=size Sets size of command history buffer.
/MACROS Displays all Doskey macros.
/MACROS:ALL Displays all Doskey macros for all executables which have Doskey macros.
/MACROS:exename Displays all Doskey macros for the given executable.
/HISTORY Displays all commands stored in memory.
/INSERT Specifies that new text you type is inserted in old text.
/OVERSTRIKE Specifies that new text overwrites old text.
/EXENAME=exename Specifies the executable.
/MACROFILE=filename Specifies a file of macros to install.
macroname Specifies a name for a macro you create.
text Specifies commands you want to record.

Hot Key

Keyboard - Key

  • UP and DOWN ARROWS recall commands;
  • ESC clears command line;
  • F7 displays command history;
  • ALT+F7 clears command history;
  • F8 searches command history;
  • F9 selects a command by number;
  • ALT+F10 clears macro definitions.

Macro

The following are some special codes in Doskey macro definitions:

Variable Description
T Command separator. Allows multiple commands in a macro.
1-9 Batch parameters. Equivalent to %1-%9 in batch programs.
$* Symbol replaced by everything following macro name on command line.

How to

display command history

doskey /history
:: or
:: Press F7

search command history

Example with the following command history buffer: 

dir /?
dir /A
dir /B
dir /C
dir /L
dir /N
dir /B
dir /OD

By typing “di” and pressing F8:

  • for the first time, you will get: 
    dir /OD
  • for the second time, you will get: 
    dir /B
  • etc…

Documentation / Reference