Skip to main content
T
tictoc2010
Participant
December 7, 2017
Answered

Batch Find and Replace part of a File Name in Lightroom Classic CC

  • December 7, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 8143 views

I need to remove part of a file name on several hundred photos. Is there a way to Batch find and replace part of a file name in Lightroom Classic CC?

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer john beardsworth

      There's a link on the right hand side of the page, but the download page is Search and Replace metadata in Lightroom 

      Another idea is to do the renaming using Bridge. It'll mean reimporting, and in other ways it is inconvenient (eg you lose any stacking, VCs , collections, history steps applied to these files), but it's reliable if you follow these steps:

      • In LR, save the metadata back to the files - Ctrl or Cmd S
      • In Bridge, select the files and use Batch Rename - its String Substitution option is the one you'll need
      • In LR, synchronize the folder - this will remove the -Edit files and import the renamed versions.

      John

      2 replies

      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 7, 2017

      There may be a way, but a lot depends on the current filename structure and the new structure wanted.

      For a batch, you would select all photos to rename, press [F2], choose [Edit...] from the Preset box drop-down menu, and build the new re-name structure. (Watch the re-name dialog for an "Example:" of how the files will rename)

      Sometimes I have found it easier to change a complicated filename structure to a simple format, then re-name again with a more detailed structure.

      If you post a sample of your current filenames and suggest how you want to change, you may get more specific advice from other gurus.

      Do NOT attempt to rename the files with any external 'Rename' programs- Lightroom will show the files as "missing" and you will have the impossible task of trying to re-connect the photos in the Library catalog.

      Edit: I bow to John Beardsworth who beat me to a reply. with "Search & Replace"

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
        T
        tictoc2010Author
        Participant
        December 7, 2017

        I have been working on files in Photoshop over the past few days and just licked save not noticing that they saved as for example 1234-Edit.tif so all I want to do is remove the -Edit from that was added.

        I didn't even notice it was happening now I have hundreds of them.

        john beardsworth
        Community Expert
        john beardsworthCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        December 7, 2017

        No, unlike in Bridge, that's not possible in LR.

        You can do it a roundabout way using my Search and Replace plugin. See Complex file renaming in Lightroom made simple – thanks to the Search and Replace plug-in – Lightroom Solutions

        John

        T
        tictoc2010Author
        Participant
        December 7, 2017

        John I followed your link it looks like the "Search & Replace" is what I need but can't see where to download it. Have I missed something?

        ColinBrownPhotographer
        ColinBrownPhotographer
        Participant
        January 27, 2018

        There's a link on the right hand side of the page, but the download page is Search and Replace metadata in Lightroom 

        Another idea is to do the renaming using Bridge. It'll mean reimporting, and in other ways it is inconvenient (eg you lose any stacking, VCs , collections, history steps applied to these files), but it's reliable if you follow these steps:

        • In LR, save the metadata back to the files - Ctrl or Cmd S
        • In Bridge, select the files and use Batch Rename - its String Substitution option is the one you'll need
        • In LR, synchronize the folder - this will remove the -Edit files and import the renamed versions.

        John


        This worked perfectly. Bridge string substitution was what i was after. Saving metadata to file and Synchronising folder in LR were the other pieces i needed. Thank you.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices