Rename Multiple Files at Once

Support & Help Requests
#1

Hi folks

Does anyone know how to rename multiple files at once?
I done seem to be able to do it, the rename option when I right click the rename option is greyed out. F2 doesn't work either.

I can rename single files no problem.

It seems that caja-rename is already installed on Ubuntu Mare 19.10 but I still don't have the option to rename multiple files.

Thanks

#2

Do you have permission to rename the files in the first place? Because that would be the only reason why you would not have access to that option.

#3

Yes I do, even if I created a folder on the desktop and put some new files in there it doesn't work.
I got done what I was trying to via the command line but it was a bit of a pain.

#4

Yeah something here isn't adding up. Because in a live session and on my current installation I am able to use Caja's batch renaming features.

#5

Yes seems strange, I'll try a live session too and see what happens.

#6

Remember; you have to Ctrl-click to select multiple. Lasso select should also work.

#7 
#!/usr/bin/perl -w
#Kim Briggs 2004-10
#
# RENAME files with new TEXT NAME having NUMBERS FIRST.
#
# Allows for adding 1-off names and keeping order.
# No photo alterations.
#


#Initialize counter
$i = 1;

#Get the new base name of photos
print "Base name of photos (no ext): ";
chomp($basename = <>);

#Load all jpgs into an array.  Remove trailing line feed.
@pix = `ls *.JPG *.jpg`;

foreach $pix (@pix) {
   chomp $pix;

   if ($i < 10)
      {$newname = "0".$i."-".$basename.".jpg";}
   elsif (($i >= 10) && ($i < 100))
      {$newname = $i."-".$basename.".jpg";}
   else {warn "Number of files out of range.";}

   #Use system command to rename file.
   system 'mv', $pix, $newname;

   $i = $i+1
}
#8

You might want to double check caja-rename is enabled, as it's an extra (optional) piece of functionality.

Edit → Preferences → Extensions tab

I just noticed there's two "Rename" options in the context menu... one is provided by the extension:

Screenshot_20191205_111315
Screenshot_20191205_111315.png339×685 24.2 KB

2 Likes
#9

I cant believe I was so dumb and missed the 2nd rename option!
Thats it!
I just kept looking at the top one and was blind to the 2nd one.
Thanks!!!