How to Write to a DIC File in PowerShell

A DIC file is a usually simple text format dictionary, used by word processors, browsers and other software to spell check a document or web page. You can write to an existing dictionary file using Microsoft Windows PowerShell -- a powerful scripting command line terminal. The overall process to write to any text file in the PowerShell environment involves appending text to an existing file. If you do not have PowerShell, you can download it directly from Microsoft's website and install it on your personal or work computer.

Instructions

1. Open the PowerShell console. Click the "Start" icon in Windows, then type "powershell" into the search box. The first option on the list should read, "Windows PowerShell." If so, hit the "Enter" key.

2. Locate the specific location of the DIC file to which you want to write. For example, "C:\dictionaries\example.dic."

3. Use the "Add-Content" command to append data to the text file. For this example to get a grasp on how to write content to files:

   Add-Content C:\dictionaries\example.dic "`nApple"

   Add-Content C:\dictionaries\example.dic "`nOrange"

   Add-Content C:\dictionaries\example.dic "`nPear"

   Add-Content C:\dictionaries\example.dic "`nPineapple"

   Notice the back-tick with small letter n (`n). This places the text on a new line.

Tips & Warnings

• Every time you use the "Add-Content" command, Windows PowerShell automatically saves the new content with the file name.

References

• FileInfo: DIC File Extension
• Microsoft Script Center: Scripting with Windows PowerShell
• The PowerShell Guy: Sesame PowerShell: Scripting Text Files
• Microsoft Technet: Appending Data To A Text File
• PowerShell Pro: PowerShell Tutorial 1: Configuring The PowerShell Console

Resources

• Microsoft: How to Download Windows PowerShell 1.0