[michaelcampbell]

In bash...

    $(grep -i 'pattern' file | awk '{print $5}' | sed 's/^/cmd/g')

?

Or surround in backticks

    `command which outputs text you want to run as a command`

I prefer $() as they nest better.

Or have I misunderstood your question?

[yogione]

That's it $() works. thanks.