Yes there is. In other programming languages, you may have encountered the backslash ( \ ) and the start of an escape sequence. It is a little different in PowerShell. We use the backtick character ( ` ). It is usually found on the key to the left of the number ( 1 ) key and shares the key with the tilde ( ~ ). Here are a few examples
Character Escape Code
Null `0
Alert `a
Backspace `b
Form Feed `f
New Line `n
Carriage Return `r
Tab `t
Vertical quote `v
Below is a script the will demonstrate a few of these.
# ======================================
# Script Name: EscapeCodeDemo.PS1
# Author: Jason A.Yoder, MCT
# Company: MCTExpert, Inc.
# Website: www.MCTExpert.com
# Blog: www.MCTExpert.blogspot.com
# Version: 1.0
# Created: September 14, 2009
# Purpose: To demonstrate the different
# escape sequences in PowerShell.
# ======================================
# ======================================
# Script Body
# --------------------------------------
Clear-Host
Write-Host " Each of the following" `
"lines will demonstrate a different" `
"Escape Code"
Write-Host " "
Write-Host "Demonstration of TAB and " `
Write-Host "Form Feed"
Write-host "Name `t IPAddress `t Location `n"
Write-host "Apple `t 1.1.1.1 `t Indianapolis" `n
Write-Host "Orange `t 2.2.2.2 `t Tampa"
Write-host "Banana `t 3.3.3.3 `t Ancorage"
Write-host "Pear `t 4.4.4.4 `t London `f"
Write-host "Peach `t 5.5.5.5 `t Paris"
# ======================================
# End of Script Body
# ======================================
Should you need to use the backtick for something else, I suggest you read the following article from Lee Desmond
Comments
$host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown")
$x = $host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown")
if ($x -eq [char]27) {Write-host "esc was pressed"}
if ($x.VirtualKeyCode -eq 27) {write-host "esc was pressed"}