PowerShell Genie

Tee-Object

Use Tee-Object to pass objects along the pipeline while also saving them to a file or a variable.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Tee-Object

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated

Syntax

1PS> Tee-Object [-FilePath] <String> [-Append] [-InputObject <PSObject>] [<CommonParameters>]
See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Tee-Object [-FilePath] <String> [-Append] [-InputObject <PSObject>] [<CommonParameters>]
  1. Stage 1Tee-Object-FilePath -Append -InputObject

    Try it

    Windows PowerShell

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    Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

    Interactive simulation · fictional data

    Examples

    Filter by Status

    1PS> Get-Service | Tee-Object -Variable all | Where-Object Status -eq 'Running' | Select-Object -First 3 Name
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Name
--------
BITS
Dnscache
WinRM

    Select first 4

    1PS> Get-Process | Select-Object -First 4 Name, Id | Tee-Object -FilePath 'C:\Temp\proc.txt'
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Name    Id
------  -----
chrome  9184
Code    6620
pwsh    11268

    Select Count

    1PS> Get-Service | Tee-Object -Variable snapshot | Measure-Object | Select-Object Count
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Count    : 4
Average  :
Sum      :
Maximum  :
Minimum  :
Property :

    Parameters

    Parameter definitions:

    • -FilePath
    • -Append
    • -InputObject

    Tee-Object on Microsoft Learn

    Practical use and troubleshooting

    Practical scenario: Use Tee-Object when you need to pass objects along the pipeline while also saving them to a file or a variable. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

    Common error and fix: An unwritable destination can interrupt the file branch. Verify the directory and permissions, and keep structured export separate when downstream consumers require CSV rather than formatted text. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

    See also: Export-Csv. Tee-Object sends input onward while saving it to a file or variable; Export-Csv writes structured columns. Choose CSV when another program needs to reconstruct the properties. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

    Tee-Object reference on Microsoft Learn

    Recap

    Tee-Object Use Tee-Object to pass objects along the pipeline while also saving them to a file or a variable.

    Next: Compare-Object
    Genie guideTee-Object

    Use Tee-Object to pass objects along the pipeline while also saving them to a file or a variable. The console below is pre-loaded — run it, then change a value and run it again.

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