Name change in LR

Select the files in Lr Classic, press F2 and rename if you would like to rename from inside of Lr.

I'm using LR Classic. I have about 800 files I want to change the name on. I can't do it in LR so I did it in Bridge.

You CAN do it in Lightroom- when importing, OR-

After importing- Select the 800 previews in the Library Grid,

Press F2  (Function key)

Select the Drop-down menu in the Preset box to select a Preset or design a re-name preset.

I moved them all out of the folders they were in LR Used Bridge to change the names and combined them into one folder.

A wrong move!  One should never do any moving, deleting, renaming, outside of the Lightroom program.

This totally upsets the Catalog and all the database links to your photos

I removed the folder in LR.

Well that might have fixed any missing links to your photos, but it also deletes any work you have done to the photos in Lightroom.

I then created a new folder in LR an tried to import the files.

There is no need to create new folders outside of Lightroom. Lightroom can import photos from any pre-existing folder with the "ADD" option in the Import dialog.  Or Lightroom can "Move" photos from an existing folder to a new folder in the Import dialog.

Not only did the names revert back to the original names but the files were also put in the folders I deleted. The folders appeared both in LR and on my HD.

This I do not understand. I can only think that you are looking at duplicates of your files that now exist in two locations with different names. It is possible you have imported the photos twice- original filenames & re-named filenames. This will need more investigation.

Is it possible to change the names of files in LR externally and then import them back into LR?

Yes. BUT is definitely NOT how it should be done!!!

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you...

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Hi JohnLastar,

You can change the name of your images while importing them into Lightroom. At the time of import, you can use the option "File Renaming" and it helps you change image name in a proper sequence/order and save the images with the new name to the provided location.  

If you have just created new catalog then, you can ignore this catalog and create another one and import your images.

Regards,

Mohit