How do I scp a file with spaces in the filename?

glenn69 · 10-31-2007, 06:08 PM

I am trying to use scp to copy a file from work server to home as a backup.

The filename is RDC DATA FILE.txt with the spaces in the filename.

scp does not seem to recognize these. How do I scp this file?

thanks

The_JinJ · 10-31-2007, 06:14 PM

scp 'user@host:/Path/Some Filename With Spaces' [destination]

glenn69 · 10-31-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

scp 'user@host:/Path/Some Filename With Spaces' [destination]

This did not work. scp thinks I am asking to copy 3 different files RDC then DATA then FILE.txt.
Any other ideas

glenn69 · 10-31-2007, 08:55 PM

OK, trial and error prevailed. This is my solution:

scp 'user@host:/Path/"Some Filename With Spaces"' [destination]

Hope it helps someone

ludeKing · 10-31-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn69

I am trying to use scp to copy a file from work server to home as a backup.

The filename is RDC DATA FILE.txt with the spaces in the filename.

scp does not seem to recognize these. How do I scp this file?

thanks

Cant you just use backslashes to escape the space?

scp RDC\ DATA\ FILE.txt user@server:~

glenn69 · 10-31-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Cant you just use backslashes to escape the space?

I did try that, but the results were the same. It was trying to copy three separate files RDC then DATA then etc..

igc35 · 11-01-2007, 12:34 AM

Quick emperical solution: Enclose the filename in single quotes _and_ escape the spaces with backslashes.

That seems like belt & braces, but it works for me.

nipunap · 11-01-2007, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn69

I am trying to use scp to copy a file from work server to home as a backup.

The filename is RDC DATA FILE.txt with the spaces in the filename.

scp does not seem to recognize these. How do I scp this file?

thanks

try this

scp RDC\ DATA\ FILE.txt <destination>

keep black slash before the every spaces

cheers,
Nipuna
http://nipunaperera.blogspot.com

duryodhan · 11-01-2007, 04:00 AM

Wouldn't BASH have done this for you through autocomplete when you pressed tab?

JJX · 11-01-2007, 04:55 AM

Yes, i use tab autocomplete to copy teh filename.
If u cant do this thet copy the file in a directory and send the directory

TeodorescuM · 11-01-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn69

I am trying to use scp to copy a file from work server to home as a backup.

The filename is RDC DATA FILE.txt with the spaces in the filename.

scp does not seem to recognize these. How do I scp this file?

thanks

if you are copying the file from home:
scp user@host:path"RDC\ DATA\ FILE.txt"

example :
you want to copy the file from machine1 to machine2 , being on machine2; the file is located on machine1 in /home/user1/mydir/
syntax:
scp user1@machine1:/home/user1/mydir/"RDC\ DATA\ FILE.txt" destination

sKaar · 11-01-2007, 05:33 AM

the backslash thing, RDC\ DATA\ FILE.TXT, and quotes "RDC DATA FILE.TXT", they both work for me with the bash that comes with slack, haven't tried both at the same time. i figure, if it works, you don't need to whip it.

ankur.dhoot · 11-01-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn69

I am trying to use scp to copy a file from work server to home as a backup.

The filename is RDC DATA FILE.txt with the spaces in the filename.

scp does not seem to recognize these. How do I scp this file?

thanks

You just do scp with filename having spaces as:

scp RDC\ DATA\ FILE.txt user@IP:

kevinator · 11-01-2007, 08:04 PM

You have escape the space and backslash.

scp RDC\\\ DATA\\\ FILE.txt user@IP:

glenn69 · 11-01-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

You have escape the space and backslash.

scp RDC\\\ DATA\\\ FILE.txt user@IP:

Yep this works too. Thanks