Recursive Subfolder File Renaming using a CSV in Automator/Apple Script

Laura,

I have modified your original Automator application code and it works exactly like my Zsh solution (which I tossed). The one change is that the CSV needs to look like this (with filename.ext):

Replace all of the code in your Run Shell Script with this code:

#!/bin/bash

cd "$1"
# just find the CSV whereever its at
CSVFILE="$(find $PWD -iname "*.csv")"

# strip quoted CSV fields (if present) and replace CRLF (if present) with LF
# dynamically adapt IFS to different CSV delimiters
while IFS=$'\t,;:|' read oldfile newfile
do
    # per Camelot suggestion to recurse into folder hierarchy and rename there
    find $PWD -name "$oldfile" -execdir mv "$oldfile" "$newfile" \;
done < <(sed -e 's/"//g' < $CSVFILE | tr -d '\r')
exit 0

I have tested this separately on Mojave 10.14.6 and Big Sur 11.5.2 as an Automator Application. I copied my TestDir folder hierarchy onto the TaxonomyRenamer folder on the Desktop and that latter folder was selected by the Ask for Finder Items. Produces the same results as I posted earlier:

The bash shell that Apple ships with macOS is far too old to support recursion, but the zsh shell does, and that is what I have used in an Automator Folder Action with a Run Shell Script solution.

Given my test folder looks like this:

and the data.csv contents are:

After I drop the test folder on the DropFolder, I get this result:

Is this the type of result you are wanting to achieve? If so, I will post the Automator solution in a response here.

It's not too hard to to switch, but you do need to understand some of the nuances of shell scripts.

At first pass, if you want to keep this within a shell script, I'd probably change the mv command to a find command with the -execdir switch to make the move in the subdirectories.

Replace everything between do and done with:

find $PWD -name "$oldfile" -execdir mv "$oldfile" "$newfile" \;

This command looks for files in any subdirectory of the nominated folder. For any matches it executes the mv command to rename the file.

Since I got up before daylight to get this script tested and posted before leaving the house (a week ago), the favor of a reply would be appreciated to know that the solution is, or is not working for you.

Click the <> symbol in this editor's toolbar. It will show a different contrast line. Click in that line and copy/paste your revised script code there. When you have done that, click at the end of your pasted code, and press another return. Then click the <> tool again. Post here.

A working solution is always a good thing. Glad it is now working for you.