How to properly -filter multiple strings in a PowerShell copy script

Question

I am using the PowerShell script from this answer to do a file copy. The problem arises when I want to include multiple file types using the filter.

Get-ChildItem $originalPath -filter "*.htm"  | `
   foreach{ $targetFile = $htmPath + $_.FullName.SubString($originalPath.Length); ` 
 New-Item -ItemType File -Path $targetFile -Force;  `
 Copy-Item $_.FullName -destination $targetFile }

works like a dream. However, The problem arises when I want to include multiple file types using the filter.

Get-ChildItem $originalPath ` 
  -filter "*.gif","*.jpg","*.xls*","*.doc*","*.pdf*","*.wav*",".ppt*")  | `
   foreach{ $targetFile = $htmPath + $_.FullName.SubString($originalPath.Length); ` 
 New-Item -ItemType File -Path $targetFile -Force;  `
 Copy-Item $_.FullName -destination $targetFile }

Gives me the following error:

Get-ChildItem : Cannot convert 'System.Object[]' to the type 'System.String' required by parameter 'Filter'. Specified method is not supported.
At F:\data\foo\CGM.ps1:121 char:36
+ Get-ChildItem $originalPath -filter <<<<  "*.gif","*.jpg","*.xls*","*.doc*","*.pdf*","*.wav*",".ppt*" | `
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: (:) [Get-ChildItem], ParameterBindingException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CannotConvertArgument,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.GetChildItemCommand

I have various iterations of parentheses, no parentheses, -filter, -include, defining the inclusions as variable (e.g., $fileFilter) and each time get the above error, and always pointing to whatever follows -filter.

The interesting exception to that is when I code -filter "*.gif,*.jpg,*.xls*,*.doc*,*.pdf*,*.wav*,*.ppt*". There are no errors, but I and get no results and nothing back to the console. I suspect I've inadvertently coded an impicit and with that statement?

So what am I doing wrong, and how can I correct it?

Answer 1

-Filter only accepts a single string. -Include accepts multiple values, but qualifies the -Path argument. The trick is to append \* to the end of the path, and then use -Include to select multiple extensions. BTW, quoting strings is unnecessary in cmdlet arguments unless they contain spaces or shell special characters.

Get-ChildItem $originalPath\* -Include *.gif, *.jpg, *.xls*, *.doc*, *.pdf*, *.wav*, .ppt*

Note that this will work regardless of whether $originalPath ends in a backslash, because multiple consecutive backslashes are interpreted as a single path separator. For example, try:

Get-ChildItem C:\\\\\Windows