Sequential file naming can't start with a zero

[bellevue scott]

Why can't sequential file naming start with a zero? I know I used to be able to do this, and sometimes you want to create a file array with the image files so for example if you have 100 files to export, you will start with 001 so that you have an array from 001-100. But you can't do that in LR. It converts 001 to 1. Is there a way around this?

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

I have no trouble renaming with a leading 0 of a sequence.

You need to define your 'Rename' template with one of the Sequence options that includes one, or more, leading zeros-

[bellevue scott]

Rob

I searched and searched and couldn't find it. So I did a web search, came upon a video on how to do this on youtube, and this may well have done more to improve my LRC experience than anything ever. Thanks. Nice trick. I had no idea. 

[Rob_Cullen]

A good result! You might also find many other tutorials by Julianne Kost at-

https://jkost.com/blog/lightroom-training-videos

[bellevue scott]

Thanks for this tip. It's been very helpful. But I've found that what this does really is rename photos in LR. I still can't find a way to export files using these custom templates. Am I missing something? I don't want to rename the original photos, I want to export them with a sequential name without renaming the originals. 

[Conrad_C]

After you create a filename template, it’s available anywhere in Lightroom Classic that can use filename templates. When you are in the Export dialog box, expand the File Naming section. If the Rename To option is enabled, you can simply select your leading zero sequential rename filename template from that menu.

Because this is in the Export dialog box, all settings affect only the exported copies. The file names of the originals remain unchanged.