If you have several files that are part of the same series, and therefore they will have similar names (aside from the series #), you can use Batch Mode to make it a quick and easy process!
To enter into Batch Mode, simply select multiple files from the files list (see Step 1 below for details on how to select multiple files). You will notice that a small pane will appear where Drive & Folder Lists usually are. Also, some buttons are disabled, which would interfere with the batch processing. You may still use Custom Buttons to build the “base” filename (that will be explained below).
Steps to doing a batch file rename:
Step 1) Choose all files you wish to process – To select multiple files, hold down the [Ctrl] key while clicking on files to select. If you accidentally select one by mistake, click it again (while still holding down [Ctrl]) to unselect it. You may also select multiple files faster by first clicking on the starting (or ending) point, then holding [Ctrl] and [Shift] while you click on the ending (or starting) point. All files between these two points will then be selected. An alternative way to select multiple files is to hold down the left mouse button while dragging the mouse over the files in the list. Although this method requires no additional keyboard input, you will still need to hold down the [Ctrl] key in order to select or unselect files ‘out of order’.
Step 2) Enter the “base” filename for all files into the ‘New Filename’ box, by either typing it in or using the custom buttons – What this means is to simply enter the filename you want to use for these files. When in batch mode, inserting EXIF date/time or SERIES #s inserts a variable. This variable is replaced with the actual data as each file is renamed. If you are using Series #s, you should examine the ‘Next Series #’ box and be sure that the number you wish the series to start at is the same as in this box. If not, you can double-click the box to reset it to 1, or manually change the number by typing in the box. When renaming files, especially in Batch Mode, it is important that the new filenames will be unique. Under most circumstances, you will want to click the [Series #] button to insert a series # into the new ‘base’ filename. Inserting a Series # into the new filenames is the easiest way to ensure that the filenames will be unique. Generally this is inserted at the end of the filename (before the extension, such as .jpg). An example of a new base filename in Batch Mode would be: Birthday Party %SERIES%.JPG. To easily insert the %SERIES% variable, simply click on the [SERIES #] button.
Step 3) If desired, check the ‘Randomize Series #s’ option – Ordinarily, you would leave this option unchecked so that series #s are added in order. However, if you would like to put the files in a random order, select this option before clicking the ‘Start Batch Renaming’ button. This is handy if you would like to randomize the files in a folder for things such as a slide show, screen saver, or photo CD. With a little creativity, you can adjust how random the files are. As you might assume, this option will only work if the base filename contains a series #. For some examples on how this works, keep reading.
To randomize all the files in a folder, select all the files, then set the base name as Pictures %SERIES%.jpg. Even if you have photos from several different occasions in the folder, they will all be mixed up randomly.
To randomize all files in the folder without changing their names (and possibly losing some descriptive filenames), try this: Select all of the files, then set the base name as %SERIES% %ORIGFN%.jpg. Now all of the original filenames will be retained, but the random numbers at the beginning of the filenames will place them in a random order.
If you’d rather keep groups of occasions together, but randomly mix the pictures in each group, select all files in a group, then set the base name as Group A %SERIES%.jpg, where Group A is whatever you want to call that group. Repeat for all groups. The files will now be in alphabetical order by group, but the individual pictures in each group will be random.
Note that to prevent accidental random series #s, this option unchecks itself every time Batch Mode is ended. This option is not recommended when batch-renaming file sets, such as Canon CRW & THM files. For more information, see File Sets.
Step 4) Click the ‘Start Batch Renaming’ button – When you’re ready to rename the selected files using the base name you entered, starting with the series # in the Next Series # box (if using Series #s), click the ‘Start Batch Renaming’ button. The files will be renamed in seconds. Once it is done processing, Batch Mode will turn itself off and Name Dropper will return to normal operations.
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