renumber already existing file numbers

Question

Level 1

65 points

renumber already existing file numbers

Is there a way to renumber *already existing* file numbers? Example:

The prefix of the file sequence is: "13 -", "14 -", etc. I'd like to replace these with "1. ", "2. ", etc.

Most renaming functions I've seen don't take into account a changing prefix (numeric, ascending); or they don't allow you to strip the first 4 characters out (using wildcards, for ex.) and start numbering from there while keeping the same file order. (At least, not in Automator or in the finder's rename function).

There must be a way; I just haven't found it.

Tips appreciated. Thanks.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 6, 2020 9:28 AM

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Answer 1

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Jul 6, 2020 10:05 PM in response to jinet

I know, I was kidding, but there must be apps out there, I used to use one called A Better Finder Rename.

https://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderRename/index.html

It is not free, but there is a free trial. It costs $25.00.

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Answer 2

jinet Author

Level 1

65 points

Jul 6, 2020 10:18 PM in response to jinet

I hate to confess, but Better Finder Rename does it. Takes two sweeps (adds a number nicely in a position—that's key); then delete the first X characters.

I'll break down and buy it. Thanks for reminding me.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,144 points

Jul 6, 2020 9:54 AM in response to jinet

This could be scripted if the numeric/dash suffix were consistent, and there were no existing files with just a numeric suffix present. Do these files have an extension? Are the files all in one folder, are part of a deeper hierarchy of folders?

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Answer 4

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Jul 6, 2020 9:19 PM in response to jinet

Well by the time you have written your posts, read the replies you could have just renumbered them manually.

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Answer 5

jinet Author

Level 1

65 points

Jul 6, 2020 10:27 AM in response to VikingOSX

The files are like this:

13 - I. Allegro molto e *** brio.mp4

14 - II. Largo, *** gran espressione.mp4

...

20 - I. Allegro.mp4

21 - II. Allegretto.mp4

etc.

I tried Transnomino, which permits wildcards, but after I remove the first 5 characters, the finder reorders them, placing 20 after 13, which just creates another set of problems.

I am just trying to renumber the entire sequence 1-26 (in this case), replacing the numbering they currently show but keeping the order of the existing sequence. Not worth the trouble, perhaps?

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Answer 6

jinet Author

Level 1

65 points

Jul 6, 2020 9:09 PM in response to VikingOSX

This is the desired output:

1 I. Allegro molto e *** brio.mp4

2 II. Largo, *** gran espressione.mp4

...

8 I. Allegro.mp4

9 II. Allegretto.mp4

etc.

(There are 13 tracks to this set; the normally would appear sequentially numbered, 1 to 13.)

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Answer 7

jinet Author

Level 1

65 points

Jul 6, 2020 10:10 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Tried it. No wildcards capability in the older version I own (will check the latest). Someone on this site recommended Transnomino, which does have wildcards, but I described the problem with that above.

also have tried several other likely suspects. It's such a simple operation, yet really hard to do with these apps. Scripting may be the best solution.

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Answer 8

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,144 points

Jul 6, 2020 12:08 PM in response to jinet

Here is a trial run with a sampling of your file names.

Before:

After:

Is that what you want? Folder sorted by Name only.

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Answer 9

jinet Author

Level 1

65 points

Jul 6, 2020 9:32 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Thanks. That's true. But why do something quickly when you can spend hours solving it automatically?

(I have a bunch of other albums I want to renumber too.)

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Answer 10

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,144 points

Jul 7, 2020 4:09 AM in response to jinet

The following Zsh Terminal syntax would replace the "1 - ." with "1. ." in the renaming (mv) process. The :a is absolute path, and :s is the substitution. The (.N) restricts to regular files, and N is shorthand for nullglob, meaning don't run the for loop on an empty directory.

for f in ~/Desktop/Test_this/*.mp4(.N);
do
   mv ${f:a} ${f:a:s/ -/./}
done

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renumber *already existing* file numbers

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