Filename string substitution: rename and reorder elements using RegEx

[Nate Carter]

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.

[Lumigraphics]

I'm not sure a regex is the way to go. Writing a script might work better since you are trying to parse the filename.

[Stephen Marsh]

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

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

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.

[Nate Carter]

Thanks you @Stephen Marsh , that helps me greatly! I have also found RegEx Coach in the interim of these posts.