---
name: "recset"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "recutils"
version: "1.9-2"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/recset"
---

# recset(1)

manipulate fields in a recfile

## NAME

recset - manipulate fields in a recfile

## SYNOPSIS

**recset** \[*OPTION*\]... \[*FILE*\]...

## DESCRIPTION

Alter or delete fields in records.

- **--no-external**

  don't use external descriptors.

- **--force**

  alter the records even if violating record restrictions.

- **--help**

  print a help message and exit.

- **--version**

  show version and exit.

### Record selection options:

- **-i**, **--case-insensitive**

  make strings case-insensitive in selection expressions.

- **-t**, **--type**=*TYPE*

  operate on records of the specified type only.

- **-e**, **--expression**=*RECORD\_EXPR*

  selection expression.

- **-q**, **--quick**=*STR*

  select records with fields containing a string.

- **-n**, **--number**=*NUM*,...

  select specific records by position, with ranges.

- **-m**, **--random**=*NUM*

  select a given number of random records.

### Field selection options:

- **-f**, **--fields**=*FIELDS*

  comma-separated list of field names with optional subscripts.

### Actions:

- **-s**, **--set**=*VALUE*

  change the value of the selected fields.

- **-a**, **--add**=*VALUE*

  add the selected fields with the given value.

- **-S**, **--set-add**=*VALUE*

  change the value of the selected fields.  If they don't exist then add a new field with that value.

- **-r**, **--rename**=*NAME*

  rename the selected fields to a given name.  If an entire record set is selected then the field is renamed in the record descriptor as well.

- **-d**, **--delete**

  delete the selected fields.

- **-c**, **--comment**

  comment out the selected fields.

## AUTHOR

Written by Jose E. Marchesi.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: bug-recutils@gnu.org\
 GNU recutils home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/recutils/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<http://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2010-2020 Jose E. Marchesi. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **recset** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **recset** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info recutils**

should give you access to the complete manual.