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44

P: Support sub-second (milliseconds) field in file naming templates.

LEGEND ,
Jun 22, 2011 Jun 22, 2011

This would allow people to start filenames with date-time so alphabetical order is same as capture time order, and would create unique filenames (without yet another field) and properly order bursts....

Presently, exif metadata includes subsecond field, but Lr filenaming template stops at full seconds. So for unique filenames, one would have to tack on some kind of sequence number or something as well.

So, as things stand, one can have:

YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS_{seq-num}_{photog/camera...}

but not (as I would prefer):

YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS-MS_{photog/camera...}

A side benefit is that filename indicates subseconds between shots in a burst, which is otherwise unavailable in Lightroom without a plugin. Although, I could argue for displaying that too in formatted metadata display, even if only upon mouse-over.

---------------
I would like to use Lightroom import dialog box for importing, instead of the plugin I use now, but it stops just shy of what I need/want still. - this is one of the things. However, if import actions were implemented, that would be enough.

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correct answers 1 Pinned Reply

Adobe Employee , Oct 28, 2025 Oct 28, 2025

Hello everyone, 

The MAX release for Adobe Photography products includes an update addressing the requested feature that addresses part of this feature request in selected fields. The team is working on the rest of it. 

 

If the update isn’t visible in your Creative Cloud app, refresh it using [Ctrl/Cmd] + [Alt/Opt] + [R].
Please note: It may take up to 24 hours for the update to appear.


Thank you for your continued patience.

Status Released
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73 Comments
LEGEND ,
Apr 05, 2017 Apr 05, 2017

A request has already been made in the Photoshop Family forum, which I see you've found. Anyone landing here with this issue should add your 'Me To' vote here:

Lightroom: Support sub-second (milliseconds) field in filenaming templates. | Photoshop Family Custo...

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Community Beginner ,
May 07, 2017 May 07, 2017

LR 5.7.1 only lets you rename with hours, mins, sec.  does LR 6+ have the ability to add milliseconds to a filename?  thanks!

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Enthusiast ,
May 07, 2017 May 07, 2017

On my version CC 2015.10 which is equivalent to latest Lightroom 6.10 there is no millisecond granularity.

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LEGEND ,
May 08, 2017 May 08, 2017

Many people have asked for this -- please add your me-too vote and details about why you want it to this feature request in the official Adobe feedback forum: Lightroom: Support sub-second (milliseconds) field in filenaming templates. | Photoshop Family Custo...

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Community Beginner ,
May 08, 2017 May 08, 2017

ah, sorry.  thanks for the pointer.  i didn't see this thread when i searched before posting.

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LEGEND ,
May 08, 2017 May 08, 2017

No worries.  It's confusing that Adobe has two different forums for LR.

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Community Beginner ,
Feb 12, 2018 Feb 12, 2018
In Bridge, select the folder with the images you want to rename.
Go to menu Tools > Batch Rename to open the rename dialog (see image below).



Here you can select Date Time fields, choose Date Created to find the capture time inside the RAW file and choose the format (YYYYMMDD, HHMMSS and Milliseconds).

Still confused why Adobe won't implement this in Lightroom...
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Community Beginner ,
Feb 16, 2018 Feb 16, 2018
I know that you can do that, but the problem is that I cannot edit the capture time of the photos in Bridge as I can do in LR (Metadata => Edit capture time). This however would be necessary to have the file reflecting the actual capture time.
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Community Beginner ,
May 11, 2020 May 11, 2020


We can rename files using {hour}{minute}{second} autofield (tag), but for burst shots it won;t do the job (more than one pic in one second). 

Adding milliseconds in the renaming "sequence and date" part would be extremely handy (we have such info in exif) so it should not be complicated to extract that... I would have unique filename using simple timestamp (i know i can use sequence# / image# option, but it is not that convenient).
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Engaged ,
Jul 09, 2021 Jul 09, 2021

Adobe, with so many cameras now capturing 10,20 and 30 frames per second, it is time to cater for split second capture time, ability to sort images by correct capture date/time and use split second elements in file renaming.

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 04, 2022 Apr 04, 2022

I have been using Downloader Pro to change file names on import from my camera card. I include the date and time in the file name. My wife got me a new MacBook for Christmas and Downloader Pro does not work on MacOS (and they state that they have no plans to develop a MacOS compatible program). I can include the date and time on import to Lightroom, but I have not figured out how to include subsecond precision in the time, which was easy in Downloader Pro. This is needed for files obtained during fast bursts of photos (up to 12 frames/second). Does someone have a way to add the subsecond time to the file name? Subsecond data are in the EXIF data down to 0.01 second (0x9290-0x9292) so it should be possible.

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Participant ,
Apr 04, 2022 Apr 04, 2022

Unfortunately there is currently no option to add subseconds to the filename, when you use the internal Lightroom Classic funktions.

 

Lightroom Classic will add an additional digit when you have multiple photos with the same time (minutes & seconds).

Therefore you have a clear name, even when you sehelct hours minutes seconds and a filename.

 

For macOS you can use the tool Exif Renamer

https://exifrenamer.en.softonic.com/mac

This tool can subseconds in different versions, very powerful tool to rename photos based on EXIF information.

But then you have to disable the renaming in Lightroom Classic!

 

Ralf

I use MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017, Intel Core i7 / 16GB / 500GB SSD) with macOS Monterey Version 12.3.1

Lightroom Classic (LrC 11.2) / Photoshop (Ps 23.2.2) / Lightroom (Lr 5.2) with Creative Cloud

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Participant ,
Apr 04, 2022 Apr 04, 2022

Currently I can only use hours, minutes and seconds for filenames.

Bildschirmfoto 2022-04-05 um 08.27.06.png

 

Over the last years more and more cameras are able to shoot fast bursts with multiple photos each seconds.

Unfortunately this is not really reflected in the current filename options.

When I have multiple photos in the same second the system will add „-2“ and „-3“ to the end of the filename.

 

The exact time is available in EXIF data and could be used.

Lightroom Classic is using it for sorting the photos.

 

It would be very helpful if we get the option to select sub-seconds from the menu!

Maybe ever in different options like 0.1 second / 0.01 second and 0.001 second, but even one option with always 3 digits (0.001 seconds) would be better than the current version.

 

Ralf

I use MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017, Intel Core i7 / 16GB / 500GB SSD) with macOS Monterey Version 12.3.1

Lightroom Classic (LrC 11.2) / Photoshop (Ps 23.2.2) / Lightroom (Lr 5.2) with Creative Cloud 

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Participant ,
Apr 04, 2022 Apr 04, 2022

Please vote on this request, maybe more user will need this option.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/update-filename-options-add-sub-seconds-as-an...

 

Ralf

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Community Expert ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

You can use Adobe Bridge, which comes with your subscription.

 

It's easiest if you do the renaming before adding metadata or making adjustments, so you don't lose any work (or rename before importing). But assuming you want to use LR for importing and that you do work on the images before renaming,  do a Ctrl S on PC / Cmd S on Mac and save your work to the files. Then rename them in Bridge, and synchronize the folders - the old-named items will be removed, the newly-renamed files will be imported.

 

Here are the options in Bridge's batch renaming tool.

 

Screenshot 2022-04-05 at 10.59.29.png

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Participant ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

Hi John,

yes Bridge would be an option, but then I have to switch between programs.

 

Here my normal workflow.

  1. Import all files from memory card
  2. During import automatically renaming the files to "DYYYY-MM-DD-THH-MM-SS-LR" I add the "LR" so that I can see in Apple photo that the original is in Lightroom Classic
  3. Do all my edits
  4. Export JPGs in small resolution to Apple Photo App

 

The problem is that I sometimes forget to adjust the different cameras to the correct timezone, then I have to change the time for a camera. But then I also have to rename the file, so that time and name will match.

 

When I do busts I get names like "DYYYY-MM-DD-THH-MM-SS-LR-2" and "DYYYY-MM-DD-THH-MM-SS-LR-5"

Better would be "DYYYY-MM-DD-THH-MM-SS-020-LR" and "DYYYY-MM-DD-THH-MM-SS-040-LR".

It's only an issue when I take photos of flying birds or other moving animals.

 

Would be much easier if I could do this in Lightroom Classic "F2", without switching to Bridge.

As I wrote "Bridge" is an option, but would be great if Adobe would implement the milliseconds to the naming options for LrC.

 

Ralf

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Community Expert ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

Instead of subseconds, you can add 'File Name Number Suffix' to the mix. That is the number that the camera used in the file name, so for example if the file name is DSC_1234, then the number suffix is 1234. This is obviously always unique, even if you shoot a burst with many frames per second.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
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Community Beginner ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

"Instead of subseconds, you can add 'File Name Number Suffix' to the mix."

That only works if you're shooting with one body. I frequently shoot with two or more (different lenses on different bodies to avoid time for lens changes). Sometimes a second shooter.

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

"Lightroom Classic will add an additional digit when you have multiple photos with the same time (minutes & seconds)."

I have seen instances in which the files are not downloaded exactly sequentially from the card. That means that sequential additional digits might not be sequentially chronological. It would satisfy the requirement to keep different file names, but doesn't satisfy my OCD.

I will check out Exif Renamer. I don't see a problem if I disable the renaming in LrC as long as they get renamed.

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LEGEND ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

I suspect that the metadata in the image that your camera placed into it does not include sub-seconds. LrC needs that to use in renaming.

 

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LEGEND ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022
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LEGEND ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022
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Community Beginner ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

It only works with one of my bodies because my camera file names are not synchronized. If one camera takes a photo it might be named DSC_2349 and the other camera takes a photo 0.1 second later (second shooter) it might be named DSC_8845. Yes, it provides unique file names but they don't sort chronologically.

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

Don't know why that link didn't come up when I started my question. It usually presents similar questions.

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Participant ,
Apr 05, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

I fully support this request.

 

It would be really good if I could rename my files within Lightroom Classic.

Especially because this option with milliseconds is currently used in Adobe Bridge 2022.

 

Ralf

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