Batch rename files in PSE 15

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
December 22, 2018
2 replies
4010 views

Hello,

I am quite new to Photoshop but not to computers. I am running PSE15 on a windows 10 computer. I am switching from Picasa to PSE 15, so far so good.

My question: I have thousands of photos already within an existing file structure. I would like to totally replace the original filename for each file in a folder with a base name that represents the folder it resides in followed by a sequential number and I would like to do it as a batch process, one folder at a time, from within PSE 15. Is this possible? A google search turned up many references to a Photoshop menu item called "Process multiple files" in PSE 12 and earlier, and it sounded like just what I needed but I can not find that menu in PSE 15. Was it removed? Replaced with something else? Am I just missing it?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

batch_rename

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Peru Bob

File > Process multiple files from the Editor in Expert Mode.

kenf51Author

Inspiring

Thank you very much for your quick answer, Peru Bob. I was attempting to do this in the Elements Organizer, but apparently it can't be done there. I will experiment with it in the Editor and see if it will do what I want.

Greg_S.

Community Expert

What is your reason for changing the file name structure? If you intend to use the Organizer as it is designed, it really doesn't matter where you store your files or what you call them. The Organizer maintains a database of your files, and if you use its tools, you can find any photo on your computer almost instantaneously.

MichelBParis

Community Expert

Thanks Greg, yes I am aware of that. That is what prompted my original question, otherwise I would just do renaming in Windows Explorer. BTW, I have tried the "Process multiple files" menu in PSE Editor (as Peru Bob suggested) and I can only get it to create copies of files with new names, not rename the original file. So I went back to the organizer and I am having success with the "File>Rename" function. It will allow me to select just the files I want and then it will replace the original file name with a new "common name" followed by a sequential number. It also seems to maintain the original sort order when renaming, so that is good. I have done several folders now and I think it will serve my purpose.

The organizer itself has only the renaming with a common starting text string plus a sort order. The editor 'process multiple files' has more renaming templates, but the only flexible renaming tool is the downloader, when you download from camera or card reader.

The main reason to rename is to be able to keep your custom sort order defined in albums for use in another catalog or third-party software, like slideshow editor. So, exporting is adequate most of the time.

I'd like to suggest that the organizer has the ability to 'reconnect' renamed files (with a bit of luck...)

Beware, never try this without doing a full backup first! However, it's easy, quick and safe to rename files via another third-party tool and to reconnect immediately if you are in a single subfolder.

You can use more flexible free tools like FastStone or Irfanview to rename your files with various templates, even overwriting the files in their original folder tree. Obviously, this disconnects all the files in the catalog(s) they are in.

I have succeeded to rename all files in a folder tree like this and to get them reconnected, but I suspect this will become tricky with a big folder tree.

Another suggestion which is useful in some cases is to use the downloader. I am happy with the automatic 'advanced' feature which allows to create a date based folder tree (my choice is "2018 12 23") while renaming files if needed. Lets say I want to import files from different dates which are already on my computer, not in a card. This is frequent when I get photos from Dropbox for my camera or from Google Photos for my wife. The synced photos I get in my computer can be copied to a camera card and nicely reimported into my standard date hierarchy, and renamed flexibly if I need to (not necessary for me, as stressed by Greg_S).

Peru Bob

Correct answer

Community Expert

File > Process multiple files from the Editor in Expert Mode.

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