Microsoft DOS goto command

Syntax

Directs Windows to a labeled line in a batch program.

GOTO label

   label        Specifies a text string used in the batch program as a label.

You type a label on a line by itself, beginning with a colon.

Windows 2000 and Windows XP additional syntax

If Command Extensions are enabled GOTO changes as follows:

GOTO command now accepts a target label of :EOF that transfers control to the end of the current batch script file. This is an easy way to exit a batch script file without defining a label. Type CALL /? for a description of extensions to the CALL command that make this feature useful.

Examples

In the below example, the batch file would only print "DONE", skipping anything that is between the GOTO and the GOTO target label.

GOTO END
ECHO SKIPPING THIS
:END
ECHO DONE

• Additional information about looping a batch file can be found on document CH001050.
• See batch file page for additional examples and uses of the choice command.
• See our goto dictionary definition for additional information and related links on this term.