Extract character positions

bash

cut -c1-8 ids.txt

Explanation

Character mode is handy for fixed-width text formats.

Learn the surrounding workflow

Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.

Same sheet · prioritizing cut and paste

Print the first and third fields from a CSV-like file.

Open In sheetbashsame section

Print all fields except one.

Open In sheetbashsame section

Combine lines from two files into columns.

Open In sheetbashsame section

Combine files using commas or tabs.

Open In sheetbashsame section

Remove all digits from a stream.

Open In sheetbash1 tag match

Default lexicographic sort.