Wildcard

Wildcard Rename

The Wildcard Rename function uses the API call DosEditName and is somewhat limited in practical use. It uses '?' to retain the existing character(s) at the respective location in the existing name and '*' to retain existing characters up to the next '.' in the name. Unless the '*' is followed by another character, the length of the name cannot be changed. In general, adding characters after the "*' will produce an undesirable result as the full name plus file extension will replace the '*'.

Notes:

• Extensions will be preserved unless meta characters (? *)are used in the extension.
  
• The renaming of multiple files is limited to the current directory. This version will not recurse though subdirectories.

Initiation

The Wildcard Rename function is initiated on selected file(s) by:

• LMB clicking the Data Panel Name button. 
  Alt+N
  
  Menu item Files->Rename

  Upon initiation, the Rename button label changes to Rename Files when more than one file is selected. A rename edit field appears under the Rename Files button and extends to the right edge of the FS/2 window. The first file in the selected list is presented in the edit field as the template to modify.

  Some template examples are:

  • A template of *.dat will rename all selected files to the current name with the 'dat' extension.

  • A template of ??abc.* will rename all selected files with the characters 'abc' appended to the first two existing characters of the name segment.

  • A template of abc*.* will rename all selected files with the characters 'abc' as the first three characters of the name segment and retain the remainder of the name characters.

  • A template of ??*.* will have no effect on the name segment.

  Note the names of the eight selected files and the template used in the example below (abcd_???.jpg). This template will change the first five characters to 'abcd_' and retain the remaining three characters. There must be a unique character retained by a ? in the name segment. Otherwise a duplicate rename error will occur.

  Wildcard Rename Template

  Mouse clicking or keyboard entering the Rename Files button presents a Wildcard Rename Confirmation dialog window. It appears showing how the first file will be renamed in the Rename field and the template used is shown in the titlebar. Clicking the dialog Rename button will rename the files one at a time with each push. All selected files may be renamed in one step by clicking the Rename All button. The Skip button is pushed to skip the current file and the Edit button returns the mode to the edit field for further editing.

  Wildcard Rename Confirmation
  

  In the example below, the selected files are renamed as shown:

  Wildcard Renamed Files
  

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