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dencon
dencon
Known Participant
August 16, 2025
Answered

how to batch create a comma separated list of image files in prep for copyright registration?

  • August 16, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 302 views

The last time I registered the copyright of images, was a few years ago, and I slogged through, using a workaround in Excel to create the required comma separated list of my images. The only time I use Excel is for this purpose every few years, and it's cumbersome time sucker to have to relearn. Rather than go through that process, is there a simpler way to make a comma separated list of hundreds of image files?  That would be a pretty cool feature to have in Bridge & Lightroom, for example. 

Thanks, Dennis

Correct answer Rob_Cullen

@dencon 

"a pretty cool feature to have in Bridge & Lightroom,"- If you have Lightroom-CLASSIC then there is a simple script that does exactly what you want. It works like this- (Select and two mouse clicks ! )

1) Select images in Lr-Classic library

2) Go Menu > Scripts > Get Filenames...

Result - Comma delineated list already highlighted to copy and paste.

The script can be found at- Get Filenames – Lightroom Solutions   (It was written for 'Lightroom' - the app now known as Lightroom-Classic.)

 

4 replies

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 23, 2025

@dencon 

"a pretty cool feature to have in Bridge & Lightroom,"- If you have Lightroom-CLASSIC then there is a simple script that does exactly what you want. It works like this- (Select and two mouse clicks ! )

1) Select images in Lr-Classic library

2) Go Menu > Scripts > Get Filenames...

Result - Comma delineated list already highlighted to copy and paste.

The script can be found at- Get Filenames – Lightroom Solutions   (It was written for 'Lightroom' - the app now known as Lightroom-Classic.)

 

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
    dencon
    denconAuthor
    Known Participant
    August 29, 2025

    Thanks for that. I don't use Lightroom, Classic or otherwise.  But I finally found a method I could wrap my head around using Microsoft Word. Even that method's explanation added an unecessary step.  Full disclosure, I haven't received confirmation from the copyright office that my registration is approved, but I think I got it right as far a comma separated list goes. I've paired it down here:

    Using Microsoft Word:

    Step 1: Get the Filenames:

    Open the folder with your .jpg images.

    Select all images.

    Right-click and choose “Copy as path.”

     

    Step 2: Paste into Word, then:

    Copy path of FIRST image EXCLUDING the file name. (can't remember why "FIRST", but why not?)

    Such as: "F:\YourMainFolder\YourArchiveFolder\Your©registeres2025\Groups+Renamed\Nature202\

    Making sure to NOT include the image.jpg file name.

     

    Step 3: Clean and Convert to Comma-Separated List:

    Still in Word, press Ctrl+H to open Find & Replace.

    In “Find”, copy/paste the above path (minus jpg file name)

    In “Replace”, leave that space blank.

    Click Replace All — now you just have filenames like:

    image1.jpg"

    image2.jpg"

    Note that quotation mark at the end.

    So,

     

    Step 4: Remove the Trailing Quotes:

    Ctrl+H will likely still be open (if not, open it)

    and in Find, type: "  (a quotation mark)

    Then in Replace, add a comma.

    Click Replace All. 

     

    Voila!, a comma separated list.

    Not sure it's necessary, but if spaced, you can select all and in “Styles” select “no spacing”.

     

    COUNT THE NUMBER OF CHARACTERS — 1995 IS THE MAX for each group of photos. 

    For organizaion purposes (and keeping that "1995 character limit), I split up the 700+ images into several folders. After creating the comma separated list in each folder, I then copied the list from the various folders onto a master folder. Thus having the full list in one place. I then converted this master Word file to a pdf and uploaded that pdf file along with the images (750 max). 

    Hope this helps. 

     

      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 31, 2025

      I do not see if you are a Windows user- if you are there is a very useful app called DirectoryListPrint that might be of help ( I have used frequently)  (Free use just involves a countdown.)

      https://directory-list-print.en.softonic.com/?ex=RAMP-3507.4&rex=true

      Has lots of options.

       

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 18, 2025
      quote

      is there a simpler way to make a comma separated list of hundreds of image files?


      By @dencon

       

      You can try the following:

       

      https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-apply-data-sets-to-100-documents/td-p/15025966#U15025973

       

      https://prepression.blogspot.com/2016/08/extracting-metadata-to-csv.html

       

      // https://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/topics/bridge-export-folder-listing-to-text-file
#target bridge
if(BridgeTalk.appName == 'bridge'){
    var newCommand = new MenuElement('command', 'Export Folder List...', 'at the end of Tools');
    }

newCommand.onSelect = function (){
    FolderListExport();
    }

function FolderListExport(){
    var FileList = [];
    var items = 0;
    var parentFolder = new Thumbnail(app.document.presentationPath);
    var logPath = '';
    var logFile = File(logPath);
    if(parentFolder.container){
        try{
            app.synchronousMode = true;
            parentFolder.refresh();
            FileList = parentFolder.children;
            items = FileList.length;
            if(items == 0) return;
            logFile = new File('~/Desktop/' + parentFolder.name + '.txt').saveDlg('Create New Log File', '*.txt');
            logFile.open('w:');
            for(var i = 0;i < items;i++){
                logFile.writeln(FileList[i].name);
            }
            logFile.close();
            app.synchronousMode = false;
        }
        catch(e){
            alert('Folder list not saved.');
            }
        }
    else{
        alert('Please select a folder. Collections are not supported.');
        return;
        }
    }

       

      https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

       

        AnandSri
        Community Manager
        AnandSriCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        August 18, 2025

        Hello @dencon

         

        I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out.

         

        As our product community experts correctly mentioned, the feature and workflow you mentioned are not possible with the Acrobat Online services. 

        You can post your question to the Adobe Bridge community, and the product team will be able to assist you further: https://adobe.ly/4fFTQk1

         

        Adobe Bridge articles: https://adobe.ly/4lz0Lgj

         

        Thanks,

        Anand Sri.

        Bernd Alheit
        Community Expert
        Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 18, 2025

        It is not possible with the Acrobat Online Services . 

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