substring - Creating sub-directories using first 2 characters of a file name in a batch file -

i'm trying create batch file loop around list of jpgs/pngs in folder, , create sub-directories using first 2 characters of these image names. after creating sub-directories, move image correct sub folder.

for example, abc.jpg , def.png create ab , de, , move abc.jpg ab , def.png de.

the problem i'm having extracting first 2 characters , creating sub-directories. here relevant code have far:

for %%a in (*.jpg,*.png) (    set _xx=%%a    md %_xx:~0,2% ) 

[error / duplication handling, , file move has been removed clarity]

echoing out variable _xx shows no value assigned it, echoing out %%a gives correct file name.

running script creates 2 sub-directories called '2' , '~0'

any suggestions?

you need use

setlocal enabledelayedexpansion 

at top of file, , instead of

md %_xx:~0,2% 

use

md !_xx:~0,2!