If you ’re seem to rename a cluster of files in the Finder , and do n’t enjoy the idea of manually editing each Indian file , one at a clip , you need to look elsewhere for aid .
Apple in reality include a few solution with Mac OS X. For model , if you activate OS X ’s Script Menu ( using the AppleScript Utility in /Applications / AppleScript ) , there are a few utile Finder AppleScripts that let you add text to , exchange school text in , remove character from , and change character case in multiple particular name . And those versed in AppleScript and Automator can practice those tool to batch - change the names of files and folders .
But for those who often recover themselves wrangling with file names , third - party developers bid better result . One of the best is PublicSpace.net ’s $ 20A well Finder Rename , but if you ’re not willing to dish out some dollars for such functionality , I recently re - discoveredFile tilt 1.2 (; free ) from Many Tricks — the developer behind Mac Gems Butler , Service Scrubber , and Witch . Although File List does n’t have as many features as A Better Finder Rename , it offer a subset of options that will more than suffice for many drug user , and presents them in a uncomplicated , easy - to - utilisation interface . ( mark that File List has been around for a few years , and is n’t yet Intel - native ; however , it works perfectly on Intel Macs , and the developer is currently cultivate on an Intel - native version . )
The File List window is clean and easy to understand . On the left is the inclination of Indian file you desire to process . You populate this list by dragging file from the Finder . ( Alternatively , you could dawn on the Finder icon orPath Findericon above the tilt to use the current pick in the Finder or Path Finder , respectively , as the filing cabinet listing . ) Pop - up menus above the single file list let you class the list by any of a number of criteria .
Below each file name in the list is some information about that file . press a file to cycle that info between the file ’s creation engagement / time ; modification date / clock time ; Finder scuttlebutt ; sizing ; file cabinet extension , type , and creator ; and register path .
lastly , to the rightfulness of each file , File List shows the young name the filing cabinet will take on after you process it . This display is update in genuine metre ; as you make change to the renaming configurations ( discussed below ) , the name - to - be immediately reflects those changes .
On the right - hand side of the window are your rename setting . Under Filter : Process , you choose which token in the list will be renamed : folders , the contents of brochure , individual Indian file , or any combining of the three .
Finally , the Rename section of the windowpane is where you opt your option for rename . A pop - up card lets you select on the button which type of rename you want to perform :
Once you ’ve chosen and configured your renaming option , and break the name previews to make certain everything is lay out up right , simply tap the Start button ( which looks like a Play button ) at the bottom of the window . The rename subprogram is reasonably agile , although the more files you ’re rename , the longer the process consider .
If you plan on execute the same rename action on other Indian file in the future , File List lets you preserve your mount as a Droplet , which is just a diminished , drag - and - drop-off software . You sweep your files , or a pamphlet of files , onto the droplet , and the action will be complete . ( If File List is open at the time , the droplet will instead inhabit the file list with the items , configure the desired preferences , and then wait for you to press the Start button , giving you a luck to preview the action at law first . )
My liberal ill about File List is that it does n’t seem in the Dock or computer menu stripe , nor does it appear in the OS X ’s Command+Tab practical software whipper ; while run , it ’s simply a floating window , but one that can be obnubilate by other windows . This is perplexing , and it also means that it ’s hard to switch to File List if its window gets hidden behind windowpane for other programs . If this happens , you demand to either apply Exposé to discover the window , or “ launch ” File List again ( by , for exercise , twice - clicking on its icon in the Finder ) to bring the window forward . I recommend keep the File List ikon in the Dock for this use ( which , of course of action , shoot down the purpose of having a Dock - image - free public utility company ) . I would prefer if a next version of File List acted like a standard Mac OS cristal course of study in this esteem .
This demeanor also mars an otherwise useful feature article , useable via File List ’s preferences , that can mechanically populate the file list with the current Finder pick when File List is set in motion . In other words , if you want to rename the filing cabinet in the current folder , just choose them all and then establish File List ; you wo n’t have to manually drag the data file into the list . If you keep File List ’s image in the Dock , this feature film even work if File List is already running ; just choose your file and then tick on the File List ikon in the Dock . ( If you ’re a Path Finder drug user , there ’s a setting to instead populate the list with whatever files are currently selected in Path Finder . ) But if you already have a lean of data file in File List and , because of the behavior identify in the previous paragraph , you then “ launch ” File List again because you ca n’t find its windowpane , you ’ll lose that list of files if somethingelseis selected in the Finder . This feature would be much more useful if File List acted like a standard covering .
Another ill I have about File List is that you ca n’t delete individual file from the list ; if , for example , you want to remove four files from your inclination , you need to remove the list completely and then add the file back in , minus the four you do n’t want . I also wish you could choose which snatch of information is displayed , by default , beneath each filing cabinet name ; even if you switch the display , it retrovert to Creation Date whenever you add new items to the list .
Still , it ’s tough to beat File List ’s functionality and easy - to - use interface , especially for the price . I incur myself using it on a daily foundation to rename image files for Macworld articles .
File List 1.2 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later ; the developer recommends 10.4.1 or later .
Update2/14/08 10:15am PT : A Universal version of File List , rename Name Mangler , has been publish . It sport an improved port and a few extra alternative , and it now behave like a standard app .
