Splunk Search

How to replace/remove a specific character?

RRajneesh
New Member

Hi,

I have the below output :

"(|01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17|)"

The desired output is to remove the first and last '|' : "(01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17)"

My below code isn't working, can you please help me?

Let's say search = "(|01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17|)"

| eval search = replace (search , "(|" , "(")
| eval search = replace (search , "|)" , ")")

Error : Error in 'eval' command: Regex: missing closing parenthesis
0 Karma
1 Solution

aholzer
Motivator

You have to escape the characters in your regex:

| makeresults 1 
| eval test = "(|01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17|)"
| eval test1 = replace (test , "\(\|" , "(")
| eval test2 = replace (test1 , "\|\)" , ")")

Hope this helps

View solution in original post

woodcock
Esteemed Legend

Like this:

| makeresults
| eval test = "(|01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17|)" 
| rex field=test mode=sed "s/\(\|/(/ s/\|\)/)/"

wrangler2x
Motivator

If this is not a one-time thing, you could also make this replacement before ingesting the data by putting this sed in props.conf on the indexer, or even better on the forwarder:

[sourcetype]
SEDCMD-xyz s/\(\|/(/ s/\|\)/)/

0 Karma

aholzer
Motivator

You have to escape the characters in your regex:

| makeresults 1 
| eval test = "(|01/01/16|01/01/18|01/05/18|04/02/18|05/01/17|05/05/16|05/08/17|)"
| eval test1 = replace (test , "\(\|" , "(")
| eval test2 = replace (test1 , "\|\)" , ")")

Hope this helps

RRajneesh
New Member

Thanks. - I tried it and it worked.

0 Karma
Got questions? Get answers!

Join the Splunk Community Slack to learn, troubleshoot, and make connections with fellow Splunk practitioners in real time!

Meet up IRL or virtually!

Join Splunk User Groups to connect and learn in-person by region or remotely by topic or industry.

Get Updates on the Splunk Community!

Why Splunk Customers Should Attend Cisco Live 2026 Las Vegas

Why Splunk Customers Should Attend Cisco Live 2026 Las Vegas     Cisco Live 2026 is almost here, and this ...

What Is the Name of the USB Key Inserted by Bob Smith? (BOTS Hint, Not the Answer)

Hello Splunkers,   So you searched, “what is the name of the usb key inserted by bob smith?”  Not gonna lie… ...

Automating Threat Operations and Threat Hunting with Recorded Future

    Automating Threat Operations and Threat Hunting with Recorded Future June 29, 2026 | Register   Is your ...