Coding⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: How to show and update echo on same line

Update echo on same line to show progress in Bash script.

Quick Answer: Use the \r escape sequence or ANSI escape codes to move the cursor to the beginning of the line, then print the new output.

To achieve this, you can use the carriage return character ( ) in your bash script. This will move the cursor to the beginning of the current line, allowing the next output to overwrite the previous one.

✅ Common Causes

  • Using carriage return characters ( ) in bash scripts.

✅ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Updating Echo

  1. Step 1: Add the carriage return character ( ) to the end of your echo statement.

Method 2: Using ANSI Escape Codes

  1. Step 1: Use the ANSI escape code  to clear the current line, and then add your echo statement followed by .

✅ Final Words

By incorporating these methods into your bash script, you can create an updating echo effect similar to a progress bar.

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