Bulk file renaming using keywords in Lightroom

[ionut22773150lqo6]

Hello,

I'd like to start by saying thanks if anyone takes the time to read and share some knowledge on this matter, what I am doing (trying to do) is bulk renaming files using keywords previously generated, simple concept yet I do run into a big issue; if the keyword list for a certain photo file is too large it will not rename the file simply because, file name is too large or at least this is my assumption ( full file name larger than 250 characters I think).

Is there a way to cut the filename string at the character limit while still being able to get my file renamed?

What is the limit of characters over which Lightroom cannot rename?

Thanks in advance,

[Rob_Cullen]

I believe you are striking a Windows limitation (not Lightroom). I have read this elsewhere-

"Under the Windows file naming system the total name cannot or path exceed 259 characters. This includes the folder path, file name and file extension."

Nothing I know of, in LrC, will compress the keywords for a filename/rename.

Why is saving keywords to file metadata not acceptable?

[richardplondon]

Even if LrC was able to carefully stay just under the operating system limit, for overall file naming including folder path, you would then have a file that would unpredictably refuse to save into a recipient's computer, if you sent it to them - depending on how deep within the folder structure they were trying to put that, and also on how many characters long each of their own folder names were. That problem would lie in wait for all future usage of the image. Perhaps you would make a problem for yourself even, when it came to making backups. Or, in later reorganising your own images. Or, you may find yourself unable to export some of your images - if you want to include their filename along with other info, such as capture date, or even if the folder path you are trying to export into, has itself got too many characters.

Pragmatically: do you really commit to re-rename every image, forever, any time you change your mind or have a new requirement, as to what keywords are assigned? Or if you edit some keyword's spelling? Can you guarantee never to forget, or otherwise fail, to do so?

Also logically: say a virtual copy is to be given a different set of keywords than its respective master copy - it must accordingly DIFFER from whatever keywords may reflect in the source filename.

Exports whether from a master copy or a virtual copy automatically inherit all of its keywording as well as EXIF etc, in the form of standard image metadata, and IMO that is the best form to have this info. Consumers of an image cannot easily scan through a very lengthy filename to see whether it includes a particular word or not - they may not even be able to do so, practically speaking, depending on the context in which they are viewing that filename.

[john beardsworth]

what I am doing (trying to do) is bulk renaming files using keywords previously generated,

By @ionut22773150lqo6

But why? Seriously, it's not a great idea.

Apart from being difficult to achieve, it's not good practice and sooner or later it will come back to bite you. Have a read through https://www.dpbestflow.org/file-management/file-naming .