Batch rename request

[Vaakuna]

Hi all,

I've been renaming older files on my Mac (personal documents, pictures, videos) to the order of stripping filenames of parentheses, e.g., Paris (1) -> Paris 1.

An older computer of mine (likely Windows) would number files as such. Batch-renaming makes easy work of the task except for folders I'm at now with hundreds – and en masse thousands, of files to rename that also have, to say, flavour text, e.g., Paris (1) Café day, Paris (2) Lost et cetera.

I'd like here to thread the question of whether anyone knows of or can write me a script that would allow for integrity of filenames to remain but in the omission or stripping of parentheses, e.g., Paris (1) Café day, Paris (2) Lost -> Paris 1 Café day, Paris 2 Lost.

If I've been in any way unspecific, I do apologise. Thanks for reading.

 

[Pomeroy]

Hi all,

I've been renaming older files on my Mac (personal documents, pictures, videos) to the order of stripping filenames of parentheses, e.g., Paris (1) -> Paris 1.

An older computer of mine (likely Windows) would number files as such. Batch-renaming makes easy work of the task except for folders I'm at now with hundreds – and en masse thousands, of files to rename that also have, to say, flavour text, e.g., Paris (1) Café day, Paris (2) Lost et cetera.

I'd like here to thread the question of whether anyone knows of or can write me a script that would allow for integrity of filenames to remain but in the omission or stripping of parentheses, e.g., Paris (1) Café day, Paris (2) Lost -> Paris 1 Café day, Paris 2 Lost.

If I've been in any way unspecific, I do apologise. Thanks for reading.

I use "A Better Finder Rename 9". it will do what you want by using the Category: Characters, with the Action: Replace specific characters, and put nothing in the "With" Space. It will let you do both Left and Right brackets at the same time. You can also use the built in Rename that came on your Mac but you will have to do one Bracket at a time.

 

[ignatius345]

I use "A Better Finder Rename 9"

Great piece of software. I don't use it often, but when it do it's exactly the right tool.

 

[Vaakuna]

I use "A Better Finder Rename 9". it will do what you want by using the Category: Characters, with the Action: Replace specific characters, and put nothing in the "With" Space. It will let you do both Left and Right brackets at the same time. You can also use the built in Rename that came on your Mac but you will have to do one Bracket at a time.

I'll check this out today. Thank you kindly, brother.

 

[Vaakuna]

I use "A Better Finder Rename 9". it will do what you want by using the Category: Characters, with the Action: Replace specific characters, and put nothing in the "With" Space. It will let you do both Left and Right brackets at the same time. You can also use the built in Rename that came on your Mac but you will have to do one Bracket at a time.

Sorry, quick question, P. Have you their (A Better Finder Rename) homepage or then a URL you used yourself to download from?

 

[Pomeroy]

Sorry, quick question, P. Have you their (A Better Finder Rename) homepage or then a URL you used yourself to download from?

I think I got it in a bundle I bought several years ago. Try this URL. ABFR

 

[wfriedwald]

my two cents: there's a better finder substitute called PATHFINDER (cocoatech) that I highly recommend, it includes a mass / batch file rename function built directly into the finder. just saying!

 

[TETENAL]

You can use Automator to create a workflow to rename files from the Finder like so:

How to batch-rename files using Automator in OS X

Renaming files in OS X is as easy as selecting them and pressing Return; however, if you regularly rename many files then you might benefit from setting up a rename workflow in Automator.

www.cnet.com

 

[Vaakuna]

You can use Automator to create a workflow to rename files from the Finder like so:

How to batch-rename files using Automator in OS X

Renaming files in OS X is as easy as selecting them and pressing Return; however, if you regularly rename many files then you might benefit from setting up a rename workflow in Automator.

www.cnet.com

I use Automator for batch-resizing but what I explain in OP is more intricate a task. Does a workflow exist or can one be created to do what I need?

 

[Vaakuna]

I'm hesitant to buy a tool proper for the job only because this is a one-and-done rename I'm carrying out. I'd otherwise have no reservations picking up something like ABFR or Path Finder that I could regularly utilise. Tricky spot. Going to be noting everything mentioned thus far; to add, everyone's attention is greatly appreciated.

 

[Pomeroy]

I'm hesitant to buy a tool proper for the job only because this is a one-and-done rename I'm carrying out. I'd otherwise have no reservations picking up something like ABFR or Path Finder that I could regularly utilise. Tricky spot. Going to be noting everything mentioned thus far; to add, everyone's attention is greatly appreciated.

For Free you can use the Finders Rename, but you will have to run it twice. Select the files you want to rename and Right click and change to Replace Text and in the Find: add Right )or Left ( and in Replace with: Nothing, leave blank. Click Rename and then replace with the other Bracket and run again. The files will still be selected so it won't take much time to run again. Or you can use Automator to build a Work Flow. Your Automator might look a little Different than C/net's. You will start with Workflow and select files and folder, the drag 2 rename Finder Items on to the Workflow space, save it with a name like 2 step name change or what ever you want. Select the files you want to take brackets out and Right click and you will find what ever you name the workflow under QuickActions or Services. If you use Automator make it look like below and it will work, Just tried it in case I need to do a 2 step name changer out side of A Better Finder Rename.

 

[Vaakuna]

For Free you can use the Finders Rename, but you will have to run it twice. Select the files you want to rename and Right click and change to Replace Text and in the Find: add Right )or Left ( and in Replace with: Nothing, leave blank. Click Rename and then replace with the other Bracket and run again. The files will still be selected so it won't take much time to run again. Or you can use Automator to build a Work Flow. Your Automator might look a little Different than C/net's. You will start with Workflow and select files and folder, the drag 2 rename Finder Items on to the Workflow space, save it with a name like 2 step name change or what ever you want. Select the files you want to take brackets out and Right click and you will find what ever you name the workflow under QuickActions or Services. If you use Automator make it look like below and it will work, Just tried it in case I need to do a 2 step name changer out side of A Better Finder Rename. View attachment 1744779

Thanks, P. This worked swimmingly. I noticed on a parent folder-level when parentheses were present in-title, it would then sometimes block the Automator action from drilling down into any more subfolders and files (after of course removing parentheses from title itself). I would in these cases pass the same parent folder through the workflow a few times, working my way down as it were – done and dusted. Your help was invaluable and I learned something here in the process. Cheers.