This slide deck discusses customizing PowerShell output using calculated properties. It explains that calculated properties allow dynamically extending objects with custom columns. The hashtable syntax for defining a calculated property is shown, with the expression using $_ to access the object being piped. Examples are provided like calculating free disk space, performing secondary WMI queries, and formatting output for AD user creation. More advanced formatting options like alignment, width, and format strings are also covered.

1. WELCOME TO TECH | IMMERSION Windows PowerShell and Custom Property Stuff Presenter: Don Jones

2. This slide deck was used in one of our many conference presentations. We hope you enjoy it, and invite you to use it within your own organization however you like. For more information on our company, including information on private classes and upcoming conference appearances, please visit our Web site, www.ConcentratedTech.com. For links to newly-posted decks, follow us on Twitter:@concentrateddon or @concentratdgreg This work is copyright ©Concentrated Technology, LLC

3. Customize Data Outputwith Calculated Properties What are calculated/custom properties (“columns”)? Making the hashtable for a calculated property A bevvy of examples

4. What Are They? PowerShell has the ability to dynamically extend objects Adding a NotePropertylets you attach custom information to an object Do this to… Create custom displays Align pipeline output and input for parameter binding

5. Making the Hashtable @{ name='whatever'; expression={$_.whatever}} Name can also be Label Shorten with “n” (or “l”) and “e” for brevity Each @hashtable is an element; include multiple elements in a comma-separated list

6. The Trick Within the expression {scriptblock}, $_ is a placeholder for whatever object was piped to Select, FT, or FL Use $_.whatever to access properties and methods of that object This makes slightly more sense in an example. Coming right up.

7. Use With What? Use with… Select-Object (Select) Format-List (FL) Format-Table (FT)

8. Examples, Examples, Examplii Calculating free disk percentage Performing a second WMI query Changing “name” to “computername” for parameter binding Fixing columns in a CSV for AD user creation

9. ADVANCED TIME! Hashtable also accepts… FormatString Width Alignment (Left, Center, Right) FormatString is useful anywhere; the other two only with Format-Table

10. More Examplii Making disk space look prettier (commas!) Aligning and controlling column width more precisely FormatString uses same stuff as –f operator

11. Thank you.

12. This slide deck was used in one of our many conference presentations. We hope you enjoy it, and invite you to use it within your own organization however you like. For more information on our company, including information on private classes and upcoming conference appearances, please visit our Web site, www.ConcentratedTech.com. For links to newly-posted decks, follow us on Twitter:@concentrateddon or @concentratdgreg This work is copyright ©Concentrated Technology, LLC