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powershellfilterexchange-server

using "-Filter" and "-Like" with a variable

I've got a hair pulling problem (I think)

Here's the code: $dn="abc.com"

Get-Recipient -Filter {EmailAddresses -Like '$dn'} -- didn't work
Get-Recipient -Filter {EmailAddresses -Like '*$dn*'} -- didn't work
Get-Recipient -Filter {EmailAddresses -Like *'$dn'*} -- didn't work
Get-Recipient -Filter {EmailAddresses -Like '*abc.com*'} -- WORKS

How can I make it work with a variable, instead of a literal string value?

Thanks in advance.

Solution

  • Use an expandable string (interpolating string, "..."):

    Get-Recipient -Filter "EmailAddresses -Like '*$dn*'"

    Note that Get-Recipient's -Filter argument is a string, and that using a script block ({ ... }) is not only unnecessary, but leads to conceptual confusion.

    In fact, when a script block is passed, its verbatim content (except { and }) is used as the string value, so no expansion of variable references takes place.

    • NoteThanks, AdminOfThings: Unlike Get-ADUser (see this answer), Get-Recipient can not perform variable interpretation of its own, so an expandable string ("...") is always needed if PowerShell variables or expressions other than $null, $true and $false are to be used in a filter, which must then be escaped as `$null, `$true and `$false. Otherwise, use single-quoting (verbatim strings, '...'), where no escaping (other than escaping embedded ' as '') is needed - see Recipient filters in Exchange PowerShell commands and string literals in PowerShell.