finding and moving files in multiple folders

Question

Level 1

24 points

finding and moving files in multiple folders

Hi

I am trying to locate and move hundreds of .wav files currently situated in 193 subfolders inside a folder called "ambient". They are mixed with other filetypes. I want to move all these wav files into a new folder called "new ambient" but without any subfolders.

At the moment the only way I can think of doing it is to open each subfolder and move each wav file to the new folder. An earlier task took me hours! Is there anyway in spotlight or finder or any other app I can filter the wav files from inside the ambient folder's subfolders (ignoring the subfolders themselves and other filetypes) and "apple shift" bulk move them in one go to the new ambient folder? A simple wav search in finder, which I've tried, would also catch thousands of other wav files elsewhere on the hard drive, but I can't find a way to search within a specific folder

any help appreciated

Posted on Apr 20, 2013 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

pjdube

Level 3

835 points

Apr 20, 2013 11:05 AM in response to Paul Mottram

Hey Paul,

This is very easy. But you will need to use Automator app. Which is in your Applications folder. Click on it.

It will ask you what type of document. Select "workflow".

Then from the far left menu click on the Finder.

Like this:

Then using my example below, start dragging the actions to the right panel (as above) until it looks like this:

Once you are done. Run the workflow, and it should work. You run it by clicking on the top right corner button.

After this is done it should work. Let me know!

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Answer 2

pjdube

Level 3

835 points

Apr 20, 2013 11:18 AM in response to Paul Mottram

Or you can just download the workflow here. Double click it and it will open in your Automator app. Then just click add under the Get Specific Finder Items action to select the target folder.

Good luck man.

Phil

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Answer 3

Paul Mottram Author

Level 1

24 points

Apr 20, 2013 12:15 PM in response to pjdube

Thank you for such a comprehensive answer

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Answer 4

pjdube

Level 3

835 points

Apr 20, 2013 12:17 PM in response to Paul Mottram

No problem man. Glad I could help you.

It worked right? I mean, you were able to move all those files right?

Curious.

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Answer 5

Apr 20, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Paul Mottram

You could use a smart folder in Finder.

Open a Finder window and go to the top level folder where the files are.

Press command -f a Finder search box opens.

What you'll see after the cmd-f the Search: folder should reflect the folder you opened and will search.

Now click the Kind box and in the list that opens select other

In the attribute window that opens search for extension

Choose File extension and click OK.

Back in the Finder window enter wav

All the files under this folder with an extension of wav will appear in the Finder. You could leave the files where they are save this search and always access the wav files from here. It will appear and act as a normal folder. The advantage is that the update of the search is dynamic. If you add more wav files in the future they will show up here automatically.

If you want to create an actual folder to hold these then open a new Finder window and create the new folder. Then select all the files in ths window and drag them to the other.

reagrds

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Answer 6

Paul Mottram Author

Level 1

24 points

Apr 20, 2013 2:57 PM in response to pjdube

unfortunately not Phil.

I've tried it three times with three different results.

I don't have a finder option in lion automator, it is a files and folders action but it appears to do the same thing.

The first time I tried it transferred only five files.

the second time it said there was an error because I was trying to move the destination folder back into into the destination folder and

the third time it tried to copy the entire parent folder of the root folder from which I was trying to extract.

This is all really strange as the instructions were exactly the same all three times.

I'll keep experimenting but thanks for all your advice. I must be doing something wrong

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Answer 7

Paul Mottram Author

Level 1

24 points

Apr 20, 2013 3:25 PM in response to Paul Mottram

Hi,

I've worked it out. There was one action missing. Between "get specified finder items"and "filter finder items" you need to put "get folder contents" and tick the "repeat for each subfolder" box

thanks

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Answer 8

pjdube

Level 3

835 points

Apr 20, 2013 5:21 PM in response to Paul Mottram

Great Paul!

Sorry I had to go off-line for a couple of hours.

But that's good that you figured it out! I forgot to put that important action in.

Good that it now works for you. Automator is a great tool, and I am sure you will learn more about it.

Good luck.

Phil

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Answer 9

Apr 20, 2013 6:18 PM in response to Paul Mottram

Automator is a wonderful tool but is way overkill in this situation.

What the OP wants to do is exactly what smart folders in Finder were designed for. There is no need to resort to programming (even at the Automator level) to accomplish this.

A good craftsman not only knows how to use his tools but knows which tool to use when.

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