Filename string substitution: rename and reorder elements using RegEx

Question

I am trying to understand the RegEx syntax to accomplish a limited scope of rename/reorder operations for migration to a new MAM/storage system. I have thousands of files with file names resembling the following:

HS - 3_1_18_1pm_Jerry Garcia

and need to identify and reorder the date/time string from the existing M_DD_YY_Ttt format seen above to the new format of:

YYYY_MM_DD

and then possibly rearrange the different elements of the filename.

I have used Bridge extensively in the past for basic find/replace and sequencing jobs, but I have been unable to find a good primer on the RegEx syntax for advanced string substitution. Please advise.

Stephen Marsh · Accepted Answer

Presuming that the year should be changed from 18 to 2018, one method would be to use Bridge's Batch Rename as follows:

Find:

(^.+ - )(\d+)(_)(\d+)(_)(\d+)(_.+)(_)(.+)

Replace:

$120$6_$2_$4$7_$9

Of course, it will not be that easy, as you probably also wish to pad out single D and M values to be DD and MM as well as the presumed 20 padding before the year to make YY into YYYY.

Stephen Marsh · Answer

Please provide at least three full before and after examples including 1 and 2 digit date examples.

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