Bulk rename

[dirty_bass]

not exactly a production question
but can you rename files on a pc in bulk
as in select a whole buch of files, and rename sequencially?

[TechMouse]

Batch files?

Not sure if you can use 'em in WinXP+ but you can still use 'em in Win2K.

Or knock up a quick utility in VB or something, if you can be bothered and have the time / software / experience.

[xfive]

Man I had the same problem the other day... I was trying to figure out how to take a whole directory of files and truncate them all to 8 characters... (damn esx!!!)
In the end I just sat there and redid them by hand :lol:

[John Ferraris]

batch files do run under XP but as far as i'm aware there is no way to store variables in 'em, so no way of renaming sequentialy :cry:

But... here's something I ripped straight off http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/renamers/ht/renamexp.htm :


"Windows XP has a built-in function to rename a series of files with sequentially numbered file names. It's limited, but it's fast and easy.
Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: under 1 minute

Here's How:
1. Open My Computer to the folder containing all the files you want to rename.

2. Select the group of files that you wish to rename. Use Shift or Ctrl to select additional files.

3. Right click on the first file in the list and choose Rename from the context menu.

4. Type a new name for the file, then hit enter.

Tips:
The first file will take on the name you type, all other selected files will append a serial number enclosed in parenthesis to the base name.
If you typed 'file.jpg', the second file will be named 'file (1).jpg', and so on with increasing numbers.
Unless you include the number, the first file will not get numbered. When sorting by name, the unnumbered file will sort to the bottom of the list. To avoid this, include the starting number in the name you type. The numbers will go up from your starting number. Remember to include the space and parenthesis.
You may not want to use this method to rename files that you plan to upload to the Web as it puts spaces in the file name. Names with spaces are generally not Web-friendly."

A better way would be to download a specialised file renaming program (or write one yourself). Some freeware ones here:

http://www.nonags.com/nonags/fileren.html

Dunno if this post's a bit overkill, hope it helped though :lol:

[dirty_bass]

Beauty!!!!

Top marks John.



Man I had the same problem the other day... I was trying to figure out how to take a whole directory of files and truncate them all to 8 characters... (damn esx!!!)
In the end I just sat there and redid them by hand

yeah, this is the first time I`ve encountered the problem, because the files going to my machine go over song by song in small batches.
But I am bundling loads of files for a mates esx and I just got the character problem

Sorted now though
Hurragh

[TechMouse]

batch files do run under XP but as far as i'm aware there is no way to store variables in 'em, so no way of renaming sequentialy :cry:

Ah... I assume so much about MS-DOS at times, but it really is crap compared to shellscript.

[DJZeMig_L]

if it is audio files u can use a batch process in wavelab... only u do a processing that won't have any actions... point 2 the folder u want, rename, delete the old files all in one go!

Z

[xfive]

hmmm didn't think about that one Z!
I love wavelab :)

[DJZeMig_L]

It luv us back ;)

Jus wish it was as easy 2 program shortcut keys as SX2! :(

Z