Changing multiple file names

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terry Bennett
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Terry Bennett

Is there a way of changing a number of file names simultaneously?

I often have need to do this when copying .jpeg files from my camera. These
are typically labelled: IMG_0001, IMG_0002, etc. I need to re-label them
with something more meaningful, ie; Project_Name 0001, 0002, etc.

I know that some of the photoshop programmes offer this but can it be done
using Windows XP? I simply want to be able to change the prefix from 'IMG'
to another name and retain the increments.

Thanks.
 
Rename a series of files
1. Select the files you want to rename.
2. Right click the first file and click Rename.
3. Type the new name, and then press ENTER.
All of the files in the series will be named in sequence using the new name
you type. For example, if you type Birthday, the other files in the series
will be named Birthday (1), Birthday (2), and so on. You can then rename
the first file Birthday to Birthday (0).

Notes
• To select consecutive files or folders, click the first item, press and
hold down SHIFT, and then click the last item. To select nonconsecutive
files or folders, press and hold down CTRL, and then click each item.
• To specify the starting number for the series, type the starting number in
parenthesis after the new file name. The files in the series will be
numbered in sequence starting with the number you type. For example, if you
type Birthday (10), the other files will be named Birthday (11), Birthday
(12), and so on.

To select multiple files and folders
Do one of the following:
• To select consecutive files or folders, click the first item, press and
hold down SHIFT, and then click the last item.
• To select nonconsecutive files or folders, press and hold down CTRL, and
then click each item.
• To select all the files and folders in the window, on the Edit menu, click
Select All.
Notes
• If you have selected all files or folders and then want to clear the
selection, click in a blank area in the folder window.

To rename a series of files
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...oddocs/en-us/windows_rename_series_files.mspx

HOW TO: Rename Multiple Files in Windows XP with Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320167

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Sat, 4 Mar 2006 17:03:37 -0000 from Terry Bennett <terry.bennett1
@virgin.net>:
These are typically labelled: IMG_0001, IMG_0002, etc. I need to
re-label them with something more meaningful, ie; Project_Name
0001, 0002, etc.

I know that some of the photoshop programmes offer this but can it
be done using Windows XP?
Click to expand...

AFAIK there's no really easy way in native Win XP. (It's child's play
in the 4NT command shell, which is the cmd.exe replacement that I
use.)

You can do it in stages with the FOR /L command (untested):

FOR /L %%x in (1;1;9) DO REN IMG_000%X%.JPG Projectname_000%X%.JPG
FOR /L %%x in (10;1;99) DO REN IMG_00%X%.JPG Projectname_00%X%.JPG
FOR /L %%x in (100;1;999) DO REN IMG_0%X%.JPG Projectname_0%X%.JPG
FOR /L %%x in (1000;1;9999) DO REN IMG_%X%.JPG Projectname_%X%.JPG

That accounts for the four-digit numbers with leading zeroes that you
showed in your example. Replave 9999 with the highest actual number.
 
Keep having fun. :-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
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