Renaming multiple files

To rename all selected catalog items, and also the corresponding original files, use the Batch Rename command. Batch renaming means simultaneously renaming multiple files in a single step. The Batch Rename command provides four options for renaming files: Text, Date, Number from, and File name. You can combine up to three options in various ways to create unique batch renaming instructions.

You cannot rename offline catalog items, such as those on CDs, DVDs, or removable drives. You also cannot rename files that are locked by the operating system.

Below are two examples of batch renaming that you might use. You can rename files incrementally using the date, a string of text, and a numbering sequence. You can also rename files by using the Search and Replace Options in the Batch Rename dialog box. In this method, you search for text in the file name and replace it with more relevant information. This method is good for turning sequential digital camera file names into ones that match your file-naming convention, while maintaining the sequential numbers created by your camera.

To batch rename incrementally

1. Select a group of items, and then, on the Action menu, click Batch Rename.

2. On the Rename Options menu, select Date. This command automatically inserts the IPTC Date Created, the EXIF Capture Date, or the file Creation Date, in that order. Microsoft Expression Media displays date tags, such as MM-DD-YYYY, which you can reorder and use different separators for, such as YY_DD_MM.

3. To include text in your batch renaming, click the plus sign (+) button to add another rename option, and then, on the Rename Options menu, click Text. Type a string of text. For example, a string might be a subject, location, or the photographer's initials. Use text that is meaningful for all the files that are being renamed.

4. To include incremental numbering in your batch renaming, click the plus sign (+) button to add another rename option, and then, under RenameOptions, set the value for Number From.

   1. Define the starting number, which is the numeric value that is used to start sequential numbering. For example, if you type "10", files will be numbered as sb10.jpg, sb11.jpg, sb12.jpg, and so on. Incremental renaming ignores file types and continues to incrementally number the files regardless of the file type. This means that if your first two files are .tif files and the next two are .jpg, they would be named 1.tif, 2.tif, 3.jpg, 4.jpg.

   2. In the field next to the starting number, define the number of digits for the sequential numbers. For example, if you choose a starting number of 8, and 3 digits, files will be named 008, 009, 010.

5. On the Format menu, select an option for case.

6. Click the Rename button.

   File renaming happens very quickly, but might take a few seconds if you are renaming more than a thousand files.

To rename files by using the Search and Replace options

1. Select a group of files, and then, on the Action menu, select Batch Rename.

2. On the Rename Options menu, select Date.

3. To add Rename Options, click the plus sign (+). On the Rename Options menu, select File name.

4. Under Search and Replace Options, in the Search for field, type a text string that you want to replace. In this case, type the string "DSC" (common to digital cameras).

5. In the Replace with field, type a string that follows your file-naming convention, such as the subject's initials or photographer's initials.

6. If you want to change the case of a filename, click the Format check box and choose the appropriate option.

7. Click the Rename button.

There are also options to strip diacritical marks, such as accents. For example, you could change "déjà vu" to "deja vu". Stripping diacritical marks from file names is important for increasing file name compatibility across operating systems.

Using scripts to rename files

You can use a script to rename a file. To do this, Expression Media reads a text file that you can create. The script uses each line of that text file as a new name for the selected media items.

To rename using a text file

• On the Scripts menu, point to Files, and then click Rename Using Text File.

File name compatibility

For maximum portability across Windows, Macintosh, and Unix networks and operating systems, follow these guidelines:

• Limit file name length to 31 characters.

• Keep file name extensions, such as .jpg or .gif.

• Use underscores (_) to separate blocks of information, instead of using dashes or spaces.

• Format dates in a 6-digit or 8-digit code. For example, July 21, 2006 should be 060721 (YYMMDD) or 20060721 (YYYYMMDD). This helps keep files sorted in the correct order in the folders on your desktops and removable media.

Batch renaming Raw+JPEG

Expression Media does not have a specific command to batch rename Raw+JPEG simultaneously. However, the Expression Media batch rename feature can simultaneously rename Raw+JPEG if you are willing to use the original sequential numbering created by your digital camera.

To rename Raw+JPEG files concurrently

1. Import your Raw and .jpg files into an Expression Media catalog.

2. Sort the catalog by file name. You can do this by selecting File name from the Sort toolbar menu. Your catalog should now have Raw and .jpg files of the same name next to each other.

3. Select all items in the catalog and, on the Action menu, click Batch Rename.

4. In the Rename Options section, select Date. This command automatically inserts the EXIF Capture Date for digital camera images. Expression Media displays date tags, such as MM-DD-YYYY- hh-mm-ss, which you can reorder and use different separators for, such as YY_DD_MM.

5. To add another renaming option, click the plus sign (+). In the Rename Options section, select Text.

6. Type a text string. For example, a string might be a subject, location, or the photographer's initials. Use text that is meaningful for all items being renamed.

7. Click the plus sign (+) again to add another rename option. In the RenameOptions section, select File name. This command appends the original file name to the new name.

8. In the Search for field, in the Search and Replace Options section, type a text string that you want to remove. In this case, use the string "DSC_" (common to digital cameras). By doing this, you are maintaining the sequential numbers created by your camera.

9. In the Preview window, Expression Media renames the Raw and .jpg files in the same manner.

10. Optional: In the upper-right corner of the Batch Rename dialog box, there is an Option Set menu. This menu is useful for storing and recalling batch rename options. In this menu, choose Save... and choose your Raw+JPEG renaming options. Then you can easily recall these settings with future catalogs.

11. Click the Rename button.

    The Raw and .jpg files you renamed now use the sequential numbering created by the digital camera.

    Note

    If you want to create your own sequential numbers when renaming Raw+JPEG files, you must run two batches, one for the Raw files and one for the .jpg files.

To rename Raw+JPEG files separately

1. Open the Organize panel. Show the File Type annotation group in the Catalog Fields index by clicking the arrow.

2. Click on the dot next to the number of .jpg files. This causes Expression Media to show only .jpg files in the catalog.

3. Select all .jpg files and, on the Action menu, click Batch Rename.

4. Add the Date and Text strings, as needed.

5. Click the plus sign (+) to add another renaming option. In the Rename Options section, select Number from.

6. Define the starting number, which is the numeric value that is used to start sequential numbering. For example, if you type "10", files will be numbered as sb10.jpg, sb11.jpg, sb12.jpg, and so on.

7. In the field next to the starting number, define the number of digits for the sequential numbers. For example, if you choose a starting number of 8 and 3 digits, files will be named 008, 009, and 010.

8. Click the Rename button.

   File-renaming happens very quickly, but might take a few seconds if you are renaming more than a thousand files.

9. For Raw files, repeat steps 2 through 8.

Organizing original files

You can use commands in Expression Media to transfer your original files to new locations on your hard disk, or to duplicate your original files.

To delete your files

1. Select the files that you want to delete.

2. Click the Move to Recycle Bin icon on the toolbar. This removes selected files from the catalog and moves the originals to the Trash.

To move or duplicate your files

• Do one of the following:

  • Drag any file from a catalog into a folder in the Folders panel. This moves the file to a different folder on your computer. The path of the file is automatically updated in the catalog.

  • On the Action menu, click Transfer to Folder, and then click one of the following options:

    - To move media files to a new folder while deleting the original files, select the option Move files. Catalog items will refer to the new files in the new folder.

    - To copy media files to a new folder while keeping the original files, select the option Copy files. Catalog items will refer to the new files in the new folder.

    - To copy media files to a new folder, select the option Duplicate files. Catalog items and referenced files remain unchanged.

See also

Concepts

Renaming files

Automation overview