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

[dencon]

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

[Bernd Alheit]

It is not possible with the Acrobat Online Services . 

[AnandSri]

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.

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

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-documen...

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

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

@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.)

[dencon]

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]

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.