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Bulk file renaming tool

F

FL00DY

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 25, 2013
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Hi everyone. After being an OSX convert for 3 years now, I'm on the hunt for the best bulk file renamer. On Windows I had an app called Renamer. The best thing about this app is it would give me the list of files as plain text. I would then copy it into a text edit app and do a find/replace and then copy the changes back into it. It made bulk file naming a total breeze. Since using OSX, the best I can manage is using the bulk ranamer feature in Path Finder...

Does anyone know if there is a way to change file names using this method on OSX? Either using the Automator tool or an app out there that will do it. Thanks everyone for taking a look.
 
Every web developer I know has A Better Finder Rename on his/her machine. I've used it for years. Solid, easy to use, very versatile. The developer stands behind the product.
 
Have a look at Name Mangler before deciding. I've used it for years. I've never used A Better Finder Rename, so I can't compare them. All I can say is that Name Mangler has done everything I've asked of it, and done it well.
 
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FL00DY said:
Hi everyone. After being an OSX convert for 3 years now, I'm on the hunt for the best bulk file renamer. On Windows I had an app called Renamer. The best thing about this app is it would give me the list of files as plain text. I would then copy it into a text edit app and do a find/replace and then copy the changes back into it. It made bulk file naming a total breeze. Since using OSX, the best I can manage is using the bulk ranamer feature in Path Finder...

Does anyone know if there is a way to change file names using this method on OSX? Either using the Automator tool or an app out there that will do it. Thanks everyone for taking a look.
Click to expand...

You can use Adobe Bridge, it has a nice batch rename tool.
 
Floody wrote:
"Does anyone know if there is a way to change file names using this method on OSX? Either using the Automator tool or an app out there that will do it".

There are many possible solutions depending on exact requirements and the tools mentioned in prior thread posts are good. Automator scripts can handle it too.
However, if your requirements aren't too stringent, the OS X Finder can rename multiple files. Simply select the files to be renamed in the Finder ( shift click or CMD click ) and then right click ( mouse ) or control click to show the contextual menu ( the image shows three selected items but more are possible )
image3.png



Selecting "Rename 3 items…" brings up a dialog to tune the rename process:
image4.png
 
briloronmacrumo said:
Floody wrote:
"Does anyone know if there is a way to change file names using this method on OSX? Either using the Automator tool or an app out there that will do it".

There are many possible solutions depending on exact requirements and the tools mentioned in prior thread posts are good. Automator scripts can handle it too.
However, if your requirements aren't too stringent, the OS X Finder can rename multiple files. Simply select the files to be renamed in the Finder ( shift click or CMD click ) and then right click ( mouse ) or control click to show the contextual menu ( the image shows three selected items but more are possible )
Click to expand...

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. briloronmacrumo if you read my needs, they most certainly are 'stringent'. I was asking for a tool that will let me rename using a text file, pretty sure the basic Finder rename wont cut it. I ditched the default Finder a long time a go, coming from Windows 3 years a go, I needed something stronger. The Batch renamer in Path Finder is really very good, but not as good as A Better Finder Rename.

I can create a text file of the directory listing and then use find/replace, save it and then use ABFR's feature 'Rename from file list'. Thank to the suggestions, works a treat.
 
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I use one called Name Changer, which is free, and have never had a problem with it. It does not do a text file, AFAIK, but just offering another option in case someone else needs it and stumbles upon this thread.

Used it mainly for renaming photos from the default DSCXXXX names - very fast and intuitive.
 
riscy said:
I use one called Name Changer, which is free, and have never had a problem with it. It does not do a text file, AFAIK, but just offering another option in case someone else needs it and stumbles upon this thread.

Used it mainly for renaming photos from the default DSCXXXX names - very fast and intuitive.
Click to expand...

If I was looking for my first bulk name changer, almost all of them do the basics, such as rename photos from a camera. But good idea to fill the thread with options for other people :apple:
 
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Well, it might be of use to someone else - glad you found one that does exactly what you want.

FL00DY said:
If I was looking for my first bulk name changer, almost all of them do the basics, such as rename photos from a camera. But good idea to fill the thread with options for other people :apple:
Click to expand...
 
BFR has two features I find very useful:

1. The ability to create and select a series of rules for renaming; and being able to decide what order to apply the rules. This allows for text replacement, file numbering , etc , on an as needed basis without having to recreate the rules every time I do a batch rename.

2. Seeing the results of the renaming before I actually renegade the field so I can correct errors.

Sure, you can do that with Automater or in Terminal but BFR takes a lot less time.

The author also updates it regularly and responses to questions. Other programs may be just as good but overall BFR meets my needs so I haven't really looked at alternatives since I have no need to look for another solution.
 
Hi all, I'm joining FL00DY's question.
I've made the leap to OSX and can't find an alternative to Renamer.
I have tried Better Finder Rename, it is very nice but not as powerful and easy to use as Renamer.

Has anyone found a suitable replacement?
 
andrewpa said:
Hi all, I'm joining FL00DY's question.
I've made the leap to OSX and can't find an alternative to Renamer.
I have tried Better Finder Rename, it is very nice but not as powerful and easy to use as Renamer.

Has anyone found a suitable replacement?
Click to expand...
What do you find missing in ABFR? I've used Windows tools and find itcas powerful as the Windows tools The ability to define rules and apply them insequence as well as import a list of filenames lets me everything i have needed in renaming.
 
jlc1978 said:
What do you find missing in ABFR? I've used Windows tools and find itcas powerful as the Windows tools The ability to define rules and apply them insequence as well as import a list of filenames lets me everything i have needed in renaming.
Click to expand...

Hi jlc1978,
I am missing the following with ABFR:
1. UI: I have a 13 inch MacBook Pro and when opening the multi-step drawer, it is very difficult to see both rules parameters and filenames preview.
2. I have some scripting skills, ABFR doesn't offer an alternative to Renamer's Pascal Script.
3. Renamer has far more Metadata tags.

Anyway, using alternativeto I have found the following app:
Bright Renamer - https://www.shiftbright.com/bright-renamer

Surprisingly, they offer a Trial only via the Mac Store, seems promising but it is too early to judge... I will update you after the trial.
 
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