ffmpeg command line syntax

[sambat]

Using the sample script, here:
https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/AudioChannelManipulation

ffmpeg -i input.wav \
-filter_complex "channelsplit=channel_layout=5.1[FL][FR][FC][LFE][BL][BR]" \
-map "[FL]" front_left.wav \
-map "[FR]" front_right.wav \
-map "[FC]" front_center.wav \
-map "[LFE]" lfe.wav \
-map "[BL]" back_left.wav \
-map "[BR]" back_right.wav

I get the error :

Unable to find a suitable output format for '\'

However if I omit the "\" and place the entire command on one line, the script works.
What am I failing to grasp?

[JVRaines]

That's Linux BASH syntax. If you're using Windows CMD instead, then you need to replace the backslashes with carets.

[sambat]

Many thanks for pointing it out.
I've been searching all over and got nowhere.
Changed to carets and bingo...