# Tool Trouble. How to preview tool output? **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [April 9, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640 "2014-04-09T23:23:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/b9e5f3/32.png) [@nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/nhtrader)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/1 "2014-04-09T23:23:11Z")
v2.58 I'm exploring a feature of MP3tag - tools. So I would like to create a tool that goes to [www.elyrics.net](http://www.elyrics.net) and show me the list of songs from an artist (lyrics that are available) So I need to accomplish the following tasks: 1. convert the artist to lowercase 2. remove leading "the+space" 3. get first character of artist 4. convert spaces within artist to "-" 5. create a URL (hyperlink) 6. use the web browser of my choice to fetch the webpage and display it. With these tasks in mind I did the following: Selected Menu FILE|OPTIONS|TOOLS (left column)|right side clicked icon NEW NAME: opera-elyrics-artist PATH:C:\Program Files\Opera\opera.exe PARAMETER: [http://www.elyrics.net/song/$left($regexp($lower(%artist%),^the\s+,](http://www.elyrics.net/song/%24left(%24regexp(%24lower(%25artist%25),%5Ethe%5Cs+,)""),1)/$replace($regexp($lower(%artist%),^the\s+,""), ,-)-lyrics.html The goal of this parameter is to create the following URL. ``` http://www.elyrics.net/song/m/marshall-tucker-band-lyrics.html ``` But the value of %artist% = "The Marshall Tucker Band" Of course this attempt at using my new tool failed to create the desired URL. The website produced a 404 ERROR (Page Not Found). My questions are... 1. Is there a way to preview any of the results of any of the elements that I constructed in my parameter? 2. Can I create a tool to send the output to Notepad (or some other text viewer) for debugging purposes? 3. What did I do wrong in constructing the PARAMETER? I'm not seeing syntax error. ---
**Author:** ![poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/poster/32/4881_2.png) [@poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/poster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/2 "2014-04-10T04:23:30Z")
> [@nhtrader](#): > > 1. Is there a way to preview any of the results of any of the elements that I constructed in my parameter? Yes. You can use the coverter Tag-Tag to see a preview of your format string. ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 9:18am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/3 "2014-04-10T09:18:08Z")
> [@nhtrader](#): > > ... I would like to create a tool that goes to [www.elyrics.net](http://www.elyrics.net) and show me the list of songs from an artist (lyrics that are available) ... > The goal of this parameter is to create the following URL. > > ``` > http://www.elyrics.net/song/m/marshall-tucker-band-lyrics.html > > ``` > > But the value of %artist% = "The Marshall Tucker Band" > ... 3. What did I do wrong in constructing the PARAMETER? ... Some examples ... **Wikipedia Album '"http://www.google.de/search?q=site%3Awikipedia.org+'$regexp($regexp($regexp($lower($trim(%ALBUM%)),'[^a-z 0-9]',),'\b(?:and|und)\b',),'\s+','+')'"' Wikipedia Artist '"http://www.google.de/search?q=site%3Awikipedia.org+'$regexp($regexp($regexp($lower($trim(%ARTIST%)),'[^a-z 0-9]',),'\b(?:and|und)\b',),'\s+','+')'"' Google Artist '"http://www.google.com/search?as\_q='$replace(%ARTIST%,' ','+','&','%26','?','%3F')'&as\_qdr=all&num=20"' Google Images '"http://www.google.com/images?as\_q='$replace(%ARTIST%' '%TITLE%,' ','+','&','%26','?','%3F')'"' Google Lyrics '"http://www.google.de/search?as\_q='$replace(%ARTIST%' '%TITLE%' Lyrics',' ','+','&','%26','?','%3F')'&as\_qdr=all&num=20"' GermanCharts '"http://germancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist='%ARTIST%'&artist\_search=starts&title='%TITLE%'&title\_search=starts"' elyrics.net '"http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$regexp(%ARTIST%,'^(?:The)?\s\*(.).+?\s\*$','\L$1')'/'$regexp($regexp(%ARTIST%,'^(?:The)?\s\*(.+?)\s\*$','\L$1'),'\s','-')'-lyrics.html"' ... or ... '"http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$regexp($regexp(%ARTIST%'###'%ARTIST%,'^(?:The)?\s\*(.).+?\s\*###(?:The)?\s\*(.+?)\s\*$','\L$1/$2'),'\s','-')'-lyrics.html"'** DD.20140410.1318.CEST ---
**Author:** ![ryerman](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ryerman/32/5285_2.png) [@ryerman](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ryerman)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 10:50am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/4 "2014-04-10T10:50:37Z")
> [@nhtrader](#): > > 1. Can I create a tool to send the output to Notepad (or some other text viewer) for debugging purposes? Create a .BAT file with this line: ``` echo %1 | clip ``` Use the path to the .BAT file. The parameter is the format string and the results will be written to the clipboard, which you can paste in Notepad. > [@nhtrader](#): > > 1. What did I do wrong in constructing the PARAMETER? I'm not seeing syntax error. The double quotes cause the problem. Try this: PARAMETER: [http://www.elyrics.net/song/$left($regexp($lower(%artist%),^the\s+,](http://www.elyrics.net/song/$left($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),%5Ethe%5Cs+,)),1)/$replace($regexp($lower(%artist%),^the\s+,), ,-)-lyrics.html ---
**Author:** ![nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/b9e5f3/32.png) [@nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/nhtrader)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/5 "2014-04-10T14:38:09Z")
> [@poster](#): > > Yes. You can use the coverter Tag-Tag to see a preview of your format string. Thank you. This answers my question regarding how to preview the construction of a complicated script. For the benefit of others, I did the following: Selected MENU CONVERT| Tag-Tag Field: COMMENT (I chose this tag to prevent overwriting existing data) Format String: (I copied and pasted my script into this box) And instantly below it displays the output. I didn't even have to click the PREVIEW button. Fantastic. Question Answered. ---
**Author:** ![nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/b9e5f3/32.png) [@nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/nhtrader)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/6 "2014-04-10T14:59:31Z")
DetLevD Kudos. Thank for the examples. I see the error of my ways. Problem solved. For the benefit of others, this is how I corrected my script and it works in a tool. ``` '"http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$left($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+','$1'),1)'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+','$1'), ,-)'-lyrics.html"' ``` Of course, I could have used the example provided verbatum (elegant coding), but I'm learning how to create tools. So I tinkered with my original script and got it to work as expected. Lastly, I'd like to learn more. Where can I find more information regarding the syntax because I have another tool script that works without double-encapsulating it within ' " ..... " ' and without encapsulating the function. Here it is: ``` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=$replace(%artist%, ,+) ``` So of course I tried to execute the elyrics script without encapsulation and it failed. So I'm unclear as to when encapsulation is required. ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/7 "2014-04-10T16:09:42Z")
> [@nhtrader](#): > > ... Where can I find more information regarding the syntax because I have another tool script that works without double-encapsulating it within ' " ..... " ' and without encapsulating the function. ... **Just in a nutshell! 1. Rules for the system command line: In general a commandline (without optional switches) is structured like ... "P:\Program Files\test.exe" abc 123 filename.ext The space character is used to separate the items. "P:\Program Files\test.exe" abc 123 filename.ext If one parameter contains one or more space characters, then the parameter string has to be enclosed into double quotes. "P:\Program Files\test.exe" "a b c" 123 "file name.ext" ==\> (three parameters) "P:\Program Files\test.exe" "a b c 123 file name.ext" ==\> (one parameter) "P:\Program Files\test.exe" a b c 123 file name.ext ==\> (six parameters) 2. Rules for the Mp3tag Tools feature: The Mp3tag "Options/Tools" edit field "parameters" expects respectively accepts a Mp3tag format string, which should create a valid commandline for the called program. '"'%ARTIST%'" '$num(%TRACK%,3)' "'%\_filename\_ext%'"' param1 param2 param3 '"'%ARTIST%' '$num(%TRACK%,3)' '%\_filename\_ext%'"' param1** > [@nhtrader](#): > > '"[http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$left($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+','$1'),1)'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+','$1](http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$left($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),'%5Ethe%5Cs+','$1'),1)'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),'%5Ethe%5Cs+','$1)'), ,-)'-lyrics.html"' This is quirky regexp syntax ... because there is no $1 group referenced in the regular expression, the $1 referrer is empty resp. does not exist, therefore you can leave the replacement part of the regexp empty. **'"http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$left($regexp($lower(%ARTIST%),'^the\s+',),1)'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%ARTIST%),'^the\s+',),' ','-')'-lyrics.html"'** DD.20140410.2009.CEST ---
**Author:** ![nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/b9e5f3/32.png) [@nhtrader](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/nhtrader)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/8 "2014-04-10T19:40:38Z")
> [@DetlevD](#): > > **Just in a nutshell! 1. Rules for the system command line: In general a commandline (without optional switches) is structured like ... "P:\Program Files\test.exe" abc 123 filename.ext The space character is used to separate the items. "P:\Program Files\test.exe" abc 123 filename.ext If one parameter contains one or more space characters, then the parameter string has to be enclosed into double quotes. "P:\Program Files\test.exe" "a b c" 123 "file name.ext" ==\> (three parameters) "P:\Program Files\test.exe" "a b c 123 file name.ext" ==\> (one parameter) "P:\Program Files\test.exe" a b c 123 file name.ext ==\> (six parameters) 2. Rules for the Mp3tag Tools feature: The Mp3tag "Options/Tools" edit field "parameters" expects respectively accepts a Mp3tag format string, which should create a valid commandline for the called program. '"'%ARTIST%'" '$num(%TRACK%,3)' "'%\_filename\_ext%'"' param1 param2 param3 '"'%ARTIST%' '$num(%TRACK%,3)' '%\_filename\_ext%'"' param1** Thank you for sharing these rules and your help. I'm very excited to explore this powerful feature. This is going to be fun. One last question, is there a character limit to the length of the PARAMETER? > [@](#): > > This is quirky regexp syntax ... because there is no $1 group referenced in the regular expression, the $1 referrer is empty resp. does not exist, therefore you can leave the replacement part of the regexp empty. > > **'"http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$left($regexp($lower(%ARTIST%),'^the\s+',),1)'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%ARTIST%),'^the\s+',),' ','-')'-lyrics.html"'** > > DD.20140410.2009.CEST I'm glad you brought it up. I thought it was strange. But when I looked at the examples I saw that they were used. So I used them too. BTW, here is an improved script which accounts for Artists that begin with a digit (0-9): '"[http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$if($isdigit($left($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+',),1)),'0-9',$left($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+',),1))'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%artist%),'^the\s+](http://www.elyrics.net/song/'$if($isdigit($left($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),'%5Ethe%5Cs+',),1)),'0-9',$left($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),'%5Ethe%5Cs+',),1))'/'$replace($regexp($lower(%25artist%25),'%5Ethe%5Cs+)',), ,-)'-lyrics.html"' ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/9 "2014-04-11T17:14:33Z")
> [@nhtrader](#): > > ... One last question, is there a character limit to the length of the PARAMETER? ... There is a MS article with old wisdoms about the command-line string limitation. So we should hope, and rely on, that Florian has also reserved enough space. (english) [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/830473](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/830473) (german) [https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/kb/830473](https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/kb/830473) DD.20140411.2114.CEST ---
**Author:** ![system](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/c/ce7035d426cb755a7916793326d23b465222a407.png) [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tool-trouble-how-to-preview-tool-output/15640/10 "2026-02-09T12:24:59Z")
Closed on February 9, 2026, 12:24pm UTC