# Split samples in different files

**URL:** https://forum.qiime2.org/t/split-samples-in-different-files/4338
**Category:** User Support
**Tags:** demux, import, cutadapt
**Created:** [May 29, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/split-samples-in-different-files/4338 "2018-05-29T12:22:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 7

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### Author: ![thermokarst](https://forum.qiime2.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@thermokarst](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/thermokarst)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/split-samples-in-different-files/4338/7 "2018-06-02T17:20:45Z")

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Hi there @tunski! Your command isn't formatted as a valid shell command. Please see this excellent note from @colinbrislawn:

> [@Error phylogen (fasttree)](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/error-phylogen-fasttree/4227/2):
>
> Hello Julissa, That screenshot is perfect. I think I have found the problem. It looks you have \ back slashes \ in your command. Take these out, the try running the command again. Colin P.S. I should explain that back slashes separate a command between multiple lines. Like this command --i file --o files --note "This works" command --i file \ --o files \ --note "This works, and it's on three lines" command --i file \ --o files \ --note "this does NOT work"

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