"Fatal scripting error" when parsing SQLCMD query

Question

Similar issue seen here.

I am trying to run the following command from SSMS running in SQLCMD mode.

:r C:\dev\test scripts\sample.sql

But I get the following error:

A fatal scripting error occurred.
Incorrect syntax was encountered while parsing :r .

I have checked the file, the line endings are appropriate for the Windows machine, and the batch separator matches the settings. What else can I try to run this?

Answer 1

I was able to resolve this by changing the file name so that it does not include a space:

:r C:\dev\test-scripts\sample.sql

• Dan Guzman: Rather than change the file name, you can enclose the path in double-quotes: :r "C:\dev\test scripts\sample.sql"