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How do I batch remove track numbers from song files in my music library

Hi friends,

I use a mac mini and Music to store all my music tracks and audio books.


I wanted to transfer all my best playlists from Music to an Astell & Kern music player.

It's tricky enough trying to get the Mac talking to the A&K but when I finally tested

the transfer of a playlist, it read the filename of each song and gave me a playlist ordered by

tracknumber. Useless! I prefer to play my tracks in the way I ordered them.


How do I batch remove track numbers from song files in my music library?

(BTW I don't know if it matters but the library is stored on a hub that docks with the Mac mini itself)


Many thanks in advance. Best wishes

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 9:54 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 23, 2024 2:31 PM

This will do it - not all at once, but almost ... (will remove all numbers from all file names)


With all the mp3 files in a window and no closed folders,

Select all tracks/files to have the numbers deleted.

Right click,

Select 'Rename'

Choose "Replace Text" (should be default or select it).

Type 0 (zero) in the "Find" box

Click cursor into "Replace with" box but leave box blank.

Hit 'Rename'

All the zeros should be gone from all selected file names, including any double zeros.

Repeat with other numbers 1-9.

This may leave some other non-number digits like - dash. If so, repeat above using what you want to delete.


NOTE: By replacing '0' first, all the zeros in all the file names will be gone. Then go thru each number 1-9 and all numbers in all file names will be gone.


If you have suffix like .mp3 and .mp4, replace the 3s by using 3+space or 4+space instead ,which will leave the 3 in .mp3 and the 4 in .mp4.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 23, 2024 2:31 PM in response to rf4c

This will do it - not all at once, but almost ... (will remove all numbers from all file names)


With all the mp3 files in a window and no closed folders,

Select all tracks/files to have the numbers deleted.

Right click,

Select 'Rename'

Choose "Replace Text" (should be default or select it).

Type 0 (zero) in the "Find" box

Click cursor into "Replace with" box but leave box blank.

Hit 'Rename'

All the zeros should be gone from all selected file names, including any double zeros.

Repeat with other numbers 1-9.

This may leave some other non-number digits like - dash. If so, repeat above using what you want to delete.


NOTE: By replacing '0' first, all the zeros in all the file names will be gone. Then go thru each number 1-9 and all numbers in all file names will be gone.


If you have suffix like .mp3 and .mp4, replace the 3s by using 3+space or 4+space instead ,which will leave the 3 in .mp3 and the 4 in .mp4.

Apr 10, 2023 1:59 PM in response to Joe M21

Hi Joe,


Thanks for giving your time to my problem.


Regarding order of play, I'm ok with that so I looked at the second option because almost all of my playlists are already compiled.


I tried selecting a couple of hundred tracks just to try it.


When I clicked 'Get Info" I was asked to confirm I wanted to edit multiple tracks and when I ok'd it, I got to the

pop up showing the "Details" - "Options" - "Artwork" - "Sorting" tabs, but none of them show any option to edit "Track Number".

There's no "Track Number" reference there at all!


My version of "Music" is 1.2.5


I don't know if this makes any difference or if you've any other thoughts.


Don't worry if not, I appreciate people sacrificing their time anyway.


Kind wishes


Jim

Apr 10, 2023 11:43 AM in response to rf4c

Two options.


You can drag songs in a playlist to create a desired order. OR


OR


Select all songs that you want to remove the track number from

Right click and choose "get info."

"Track Number" will show a "-"... delete that so the field is blank

Click "OK"

The track number will now be gone from all the selected songs


Note the this second method will remove the track number from all instances. If the song is also in an album, the album will also not show the track number. For this reason, the first method (manually creating a playlist order) is a better way to go.


Apr 11, 2023 8:56 AM in response to Joe M21

Joe,


My sincere apologies, I couldn't be more embarrassed!


When I first attempted it, I was fooled by the grey text, thinking it wasn't functional!


When I got your follow up message, I did strictly as instructed and it all worked as you said!


I'm off to hang my head in shame!


Thanks again Joe, I'm very grateful.


Best wishes, Jim

How do I batch remove track numbers from song files in my music library

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