Computer Help and Support

Turbineguy

(38,287 posts) Tue Jan 7, 2020, 07:24 PM Jan 2020

Batch file rename

I want to rename a large number of files. The file names look like this

10-L-1 Stuff.docx

I want to change the "L" into an "8"

And leave everything else as is.

Anybody know a fairly simple to understand method for that?

I've already looked for the Windows 10 method but that changed everything.

6 replies

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Batch file rename (Original Post) Turbineguy Jan 2020 OP

Here's a windows link Midnightwalk Jan 2020 #1

There are several Windows file explorers that support multi-rename/batch file rename. Eugene Jan 2020 #2

I've used this in the past canetoad Jan 2020 #3

Thanks! Turbineguy Jan 2020 #4

Here you go discntnt_irny_srcsm Jan 2020 #5

I can't get the syntax to work. Turbineguy Jan 2020 #6

Midnightwalk

(3,131 posts)

1. Here's a windows link

Reply to Turbineguy (Original post)

Tue Jan 7, 2020, 07:39 PM

Jan 2020

I’d make a copy of the files into a new directory first and use the command line version myself but I don’t use windows for anything much any more so I can’t vouch for this.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.windowscentral.com/how-rename-multiple-files-bulk-windows-10%3famp]

For unix/mac it would be a few line script depending on how simple the pattern was. I’d still work on a copy of the files and would probably google linux rename multiple files if I didn’t have time to mess with it.

Eugene

(62,626 posts)

2. There are several Windows file explorers that support multi-rename/batch file rename.

Reply to Turbineguy (Original post)

Tue Jan 7, 2020, 07:41 PM

Jan 2020

I use FreeCommander XE, which does it as select files and do a text search-and-replace.

Double Commander (open source) and Q-Dir (freeware) also offer this, but I have not tried them myself.

canetoad

(18,074 posts)

3. I've used this in the past

Reply to Turbineguy (Original post)

Tue Jan 7, 2020, 08:18 PM

Jan 2020

http://www.sherrodcomputers.com/products_FileRenamer.cfm

Basic version is free. I've just installed it on Win 10 x64 and it seems to run OK.

Turbineguy

(38,287 posts)

4. Thanks!

Reply to Turbineguy (Original post)

Tue Jan 7, 2020, 08:37 PM

Jan 2020

I'll give it a try.

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,565 posts)

5. Here you go

Reply to Turbineguy (Original post)

Wed Jan 8, 2020, 07:07 AM

Jan 2020

Type this at the command line:
ren 10-L-*.txt 10-8-*.txt

Here is the rename help:
Renames a file or files.

RENAME [drive:][path]filename1 filename2.
REN [drive:][path]filename1 filename2.

Note that you cannot specify a new drive or path for your destination file.
The syntax of the windows help above uses [] to enclose optional terms.

Turbineguy

(38,287 posts)

6. I can't get the syntax to work.

Reply to discntnt_irny_srcsm (Reply #5)

Thu Jan 9, 2020, 12:52 PM

Jan 2020

Drive F

1st Folder PMI

Sub Folder 61

2nd Sub folder QMEDEX

3rd Sub Folder QMEDANS

File name 01-J-3 Quiz A.docx

Desired name 01-10-3 Quiz a.docx

I need to know the exact syntax

The other files that I want to rename have 01, 02, 04 etc in the first number and 3, 4, 5 in the 3rd number

I only want to change the "J" into a "10"

Thanks

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