Using Windows REN to insert text into a filename, maintaining the rest of the name?
I'm currently trying to use the REN command to add text in the middle of a filename, while maintaining the rest of the filename.
Example:
testfile_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf -> testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf
The last six digits are subject to change, so I need to represent them with wildcards.
Currently, I have the following:
REN testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14*.pdf
Result is:
testfile_ABCD_2018-11-146-23.pdf
The last six digits are not being maintained, and I cannot figure out why.
windows batch-file cmd rename
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
add a comment |
I'm currently trying to use the REN command to add text in the middle of a filename, while maintaining the rest of the filename.
Example:
testfile_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf -> testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf
The last six digits are subject to change, so I need to represent them with wildcards.
Currently, I have the following:
REN testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14*.pdf
Result is:
testfile_ABCD_2018-11-146-23.pdf
The last six digits are not being maintained, and I cannot figure out why.
windows batch-file cmd rename
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
2
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55
add a comment |
I'm currently trying to use the REN command to add text in the middle of a filename, while maintaining the rest of the filename.
Example:
testfile_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf -> testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf
The last six digits are subject to change, so I need to represent them with wildcards.
Currently, I have the following:
REN testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14*.pdf
Result is:
testfile_ABCD_2018-11-146-23.pdf
The last six digits are not being maintained, and I cannot figure out why.
windows batch-file cmd rename
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
I'm currently trying to use the REN command to add text in the middle of a filename, while maintaining the rest of the filename.
Example:
testfile_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf -> testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14-06-06-23.pdf
The last six digits are subject to change, so I need to represent them with wildcards.
Currently, I have the following:
REN testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf testfile_ABCD_2018-11-14*.pdf
Result is:
testfile_ABCD_2018-11-146-23.pdf
The last six digits are not being maintained, and I cannot figure out why.
windows batch-file cmd rename
windows batch-file cmd rename
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
asked Nov 14 '18 at 17:29
BobazonskiBobazonski
7331335
7331335
PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
2
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55
add a comment |
PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
2
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55
PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
2
2
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Pretty sure it cannot be done with a simple REN command. You can however use the power of the FOR /F command to manipulate the file name.
From the command prompt you can run this.
for /f "tokens=1* delims=_" %G IN ('dir /a-d /b "testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf"') do ren "%G_%H" "%G_ABCD_%H"
This finds the file and then splits the file name by the underscore. It then renames it with the extra string in the new file name.
If you are going to run this in a batch file you must double the percent symbols.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
add a comment |
If we're offering alternative solutions to REN, here are a few ways in PowerShell:
String Splitting:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Split up the name by the underscore so the zeroth entry is 'testfile' and the first entry is the remaining name
$s = $f.Name.Split("_")
## Use String tokenization to recombine the different parts in the desired order during the rename
Rename-Item $f.FullName ("{0}{1}_{2}_{3}" -f $f.DirectoryName, $s[0], 'ABCD', $s[1])
String Replace:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Use string replace to fix the name during the rename operation
Rename-Item $f.FullName ($f.FullName.Replace('testfile_', 'testfile_ABCD_'))
Using regex is possible but is probably overly complicated if you're not familiar with the above methods.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Pretty sure it cannot be done with a simple REN command. You can however use the power of the FOR /F command to manipulate the file name.
From the command prompt you can run this.
for /f "tokens=1* delims=_" %G IN ('dir /a-d /b "testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf"') do ren "%G_%H" "%G_ABCD_%H"
This finds the file and then splits the file name by the underscore. It then renames it with the extra string in the new file name.
If you are going to run this in a batch file you must double the percent symbols.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
add a comment |
Pretty sure it cannot be done with a simple REN command. You can however use the power of the FOR /F command to manipulate the file name.
From the command prompt you can run this.
for /f "tokens=1* delims=_" %G IN ('dir /a-d /b "testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf"') do ren "%G_%H" "%G_ABCD_%H"
This finds the file and then splits the file name by the underscore. It then renames it with the extra string in the new file name.
If you are going to run this in a batch file you must double the percent symbols.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
add a comment |
Pretty sure it cannot be done with a simple REN command. You can however use the power of the FOR /F command to manipulate the file name.
From the command prompt you can run this.
for /f "tokens=1* delims=_" %G IN ('dir /a-d /b "testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf"') do ren "%G_%H" "%G_ABCD_%H"
This finds the file and then splits the file name by the underscore. It then renames it with the extra string in the new file name.
If you are going to run this in a batch file you must double the percent symbols.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
Pretty sure it cannot be done with a simple REN command. You can however use the power of the FOR /F command to manipulate the file name.
From the command prompt you can run this.
for /f "tokens=1* delims=_" %G IN ('dir /a-d /b "testfile_2018-11-14*.pdf"') do ren "%G_%H" "%G_ABCD_%H"
This finds the file and then splits the file name by the underscore. It then renames it with the extra string in the new file name.
If you are going to run this in a batch file you must double the percent symbols.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
answered Nov 14 '18 at 17:40
SquashmanSquashman
8,87931933
8,87931933
add a comment |
add a comment |
If we're offering alternative solutions to REN, here are a few ways in PowerShell:
String Splitting:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Split up the name by the underscore so the zeroth entry is 'testfile' and the first entry is the remaining name
$s = $f.Name.Split("_")
## Use String tokenization to recombine the different parts in the desired order during the rename
Rename-Item $f.FullName ("{0}{1}_{2}_{3}" -f $f.DirectoryName, $s[0], 'ABCD', $s[1])
String Replace:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Use string replace to fix the name during the rename operation
Rename-Item $f.FullName ($f.FullName.Replace('testfile_', 'testfile_ABCD_'))
Using regex is possible but is probably overly complicated if you're not familiar with the above methods.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
add a comment |
If we're offering alternative solutions to REN, here are a few ways in PowerShell:
String Splitting:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Split up the name by the underscore so the zeroth entry is 'testfile' and the first entry is the remaining name
$s = $f.Name.Split("_")
## Use String tokenization to recombine the different parts in the desired order during the rename
Rename-Item $f.FullName ("{0}{1}_{2}_{3}" -f $f.DirectoryName, $s[0], 'ABCD', $s[1])
String Replace:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Use string replace to fix the name during the rename operation
Rename-Item $f.FullName ($f.FullName.Replace('testfile_', 'testfile_ABCD_'))
Using regex is possible but is probably overly complicated if you're not familiar with the above methods.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
add a comment |
If we're offering alternative solutions to REN, here are a few ways in PowerShell:
String Splitting:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Split up the name by the underscore so the zeroth entry is 'testfile' and the first entry is the remaining name
$s = $f.Name.Split("_")
## Use String tokenization to recombine the different parts in the desired order during the rename
Rename-Item $f.FullName ("{0}{1}_{2}_{3}" -f $f.DirectoryName, $s[0], 'ABCD', $s[1])
String Replace:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Use string replace to fix the name during the rename operation
Rename-Item $f.FullName ($f.FullName.Replace('testfile_', 'testfile_ABCD_'))
Using regex is possible but is probably overly complicated if you're not familiar with the above methods.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
If we're offering alternative solutions to REN, here are a few ways in PowerShell:
String Splitting:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Split up the name by the underscore so the zeroth entry is 'testfile' and the first entry is the remaining name
$s = $f.Name.Split("_")
## Use String tokenization to recombine the different parts in the desired order during the rename
Rename-Item $f.FullName ("{0}{1}_{2}_{3}" -f $f.DirectoryName, $s[0], 'ABCD', $s[1])
String Replace:
## Get a System.IO.FileInfo object to the file
$f = Get-Item path-to-the-testfile
## Use string replace to fix the name during the rename operation
Rename-Item $f.FullName ($f.FullName.Replace('testfile_', 'testfile_ABCD_'))
Using regex is possible but is probably overly complicated if you're not familiar with the above methods.
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
edited Nov 14 '18 at 18:53
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
answered Nov 14 '18 at 18:16
thepip3rthepip3r
1,49042328
1,49042328
add a comment |
add a comment |
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PowerShell with string splitting or regex would be ideally suited to address this. Any reason you're not using it?
– thepip3r
Nov 14 '18 at 17:51
2
As @Squashman says in his answer, this cannot be done with REN alone. See How does the Windows RENAME command interpret wildcards? at SuperUser for an explanation of exactly what can and cannot be done.
– dbenham
Nov 14 '18 at 18:02
@dbenham, how about a JREN.bat answer. I know it is kind of overkill for this task but would be a useful answer.
– Squashman
Nov 14 '18 at 18:55