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What for:
ListRenamer is a utility for professionals and power users to rename files in folders (incl. subfolders) according to a list.
To rename files in an easier way (but not so powerful) please see dName-it on my web site.
With ListRenamer you can use the power of spreadsheets or databases for renaming your files in bulk.
Create a text list (in which each name starts in a new line) with your favorit text editor, spreadsheet or database and let ListRenamer do the work. That's much easier and faster than changing hundreds or thousands of file names one by one in the Finder.
A) For assigning or changing incrementally numbered file names
(any renamer can do that, but ListRenamer can also handle difficult cases)
1. generate a text list of all files and folders in a folder (just drop on a BBEdit window)
2. manipulate that list with search & replace routines (GREP), formulas or macros in Text editors (BBEdit, Nisus, TexEdit ), Spreadsheets (AppleWorks, Exel) or Databases
3. let ListRenamer replace the old file names with the new ones in the list.
B) For assigning individual file names to incrementally numbered files
(only ListRenamer can do that)
The production of small or large numbers of pictures or sounds usually results in folders full of incrementally numbered media files. In order to give them more meaningful names, all you need is to make a list of the new names, or to use an existing list , which keeps record of old and new names, from a spreadsheet or database.
How to create old and new file name text lists :
Drop a folder on ListRenamer and push "Export" button. So, you export file list as text.
Spreadsheet: Paste the old name list into your spreadsheet and create the new file names in a second column (by hand, formulas or macros). Then cut and paste the column with the new names into an empty text editor window (e.g.BBEdit) and save as text file.
Database: Import the old name list into a DataBase (e.g. FileMaker) and create the new file names in a new field (by hand, formulas or macros). Then export the new field in text format, to get the text file with the new names.
Text editor: Manipulate the list with Search & Replace (use of GREP patterns is recommended) to remove tabs, unwanted folders or entries from invisible files.
How to use:
Double click to open ListRenamer, then
- 1° Drag and drop a folder on the ListRenamer window. The files are listed on the first column.
Set Preferences:
Choose : • All files and folders, • Files only, • Folders only, • Recursive or not, • Sorting (before drop)
- 2° Select the text file with the new names (separated by a return character) with the "Select" button.
The new names appear in the second column. Check and then...
- 3° Rename with the "Rename" button
This operation is irreversible so an alert will ask you to confirm your choice.
It's strongly recommended to back up your files before renaming them.
Important notes
- The number of files must be equal to the number of names on the list.
- Names must be unique in the same folder, but not necessary in different ones. So, you have choice.
- You can sort the files by alphabetical (recommended), hierarchical order or by number.
- You can suppress or not the Mac OS X system files (who begin with a dot like ".DS_Store" for example)
- Use (plain or simple) text format as used by BBEdit or Tex-Edit (not TextEdit which comes with Mac OS X).
- Don't use RichTextFormat (.rtf) for the list, it wouldn't work.
Recover the old names :
Sort the column with the new names in your spreadsheet or data base and then copy-paste or export the old names to a text list. Rename the new names with the text list of the old names.
Dokcha Software 2002-2003
developper@dokcha.com
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ListRenamer by Dokcha Software