Multi-rename question: change "Aug" to "08" and replace space with dot

[LabLover]

I have a number of files that are named similar to:

Aug 14 2011 full.mp4 (the day of the month varies)

Using multi-rename search and replace I want to rename them in this format:

08.14.2011 full.mp4

I want to convert the month to a number and replace two spaces with dots / periods "." I want to retain the day of the month, the year and the rest of the name.

I use this search term: aug ?? (month abbreviation, a space, two character space holders and another space)

I use the replace term 08.??. and this is not working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Stiltzkin]

you could do it in 2 steps:


step1:
search for: jan|feb|mar|apr|may|jun|jul|aug|sep|oct|nov|dec
replace with: 01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12

step2:
search for: (space)
replace with: .

or with [x]Regex enabled:
search for: (\d{1,2}) (\d{1,2}) (\d{4,4})(.*)
replace with: $1.$2.$3$4

that way you can sort the numbers

[LabLover]

you could do it in 2 steps:


step1:
search for: jan|feb|mar|apr|may|jun|jul|aug|sep|oct|nov|dec
replace with: 01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12

step2:
search for: (space)
replace with: .

or with [x]Regex enabled:
search for: (\d{1,2}) (\d{1,2}) (\d{4,4})(.*)
replace with: $1.$2.$3$4

that way you can sort the numbers

Thanks for this reply. Is there no way to do it in one step? BTW your method worked just fine and if I do them in batches of a 1,000 at a time, it should be great. Thanks again.

[Stefan2]

Hi 2LabLover and welcome.

In the MUT (Multi-rename Tool) left of [Start!] there is a reload button for to load the last selected files again into the view.
And with the "F2"-key you can store and load settings for quick access.

- - -

FROM:
Aug 14 2011 full.mp4
TO:
08.14.2011 full.mp4

You can try to add Stiltzkins' step2 to step1
But for your request "replace spaces with dots" you should better use
an RegEx search and replace to match the space at the digits only, else you will end up with "08.14.2011.full.mp4"




 

[LabLover]

Hi 2LabLover and welcome.

Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for the advice. I will brush-up on my Regex, it's been a while.

[Stefan2]

I will brush-up on my Regex, it's been a while.

Stiltzkin gave you already a possible solution





 

[LabLover]

I will brush-up on my Regex, it's been a while.

Stiltzkin gave you already a possible solution

Yes he did, I just tried it and it works great! Many thanks to both of you!