Hi all,
I'm stuck. I'm hoping to learn from this and hoping some of you can point me in the right direction/resources.
I'm looking to rename files in a specific folder, possibly using a form input system. I'm essentially trying to keep files organized in a cataloging system.
I download a LOT of PDFs from online archival resources and they are always poorly named. I'm thinking about setting up an input prompt where I input variables. Example:
Be able to apply this to multiple files (at least keeping the First 3 Variables the same with the option of entering a new variable for the last.
I'm wondering if there is a specific way to store previously inputted data to the form. And then perhaps apply this to the entire batch I've downloaded so that they have the same file name with the exception of changing volumes or issues.
I'm really eager to learn more macros. Any resources to help with this specific task or any prerequisite reading before attempting this is welcomed and much appreciated.
Maybe a stupid question, but have you done a forum search for “renaming files” or such?
If you are speaking of PDF forms, this can only be addressed via PDF programs (you cannot write to the source data). The PDF program can be scripted though (depending on the program).
I'm a bit stuck. The metadata from these files is lacking, hence my need to input data manually. These are documents that have been scanned from the 70s and the curators have not created a nice file naming system.
To clarify, I'm just trying to implement a simple file renaming system that can help me catalog files. This (attached) macro looked like a promising baseline. It prompts you to fill in fields and then will move the file..I think.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why I cannot get it to work. It does not even get past the %TriggerValue% split path action.
Any ideas how to move forward?
Again my goal is pretty simple I think. Import a PDF into a folder (filename: xyz123456.pdf) and then I want to change such file name to include the publication, year, volume, issue data that I input from a prompt. E.g:
You above post and the example macro you showed later are not completely consistent, so I am having to guess at what you actually want.
Here is an EXAMPLE macro to help get you started.
It is triggered by adding/dropping a new file into your Downloads folder, and then prompts you for the fields you listed above.
Of course, you can change any/all of this.
You should carefully review the Actions in magenta color, like the one below to ensure they have the values/settings you want:
In particular, review this Action which set the new name of the file using your input metadata: %Local__DestinationFolder%/%Variable%DND_RDF__Pub_Name% %Variable%DND_RDF__Year% %Variable%DND_RDF__Volume% %Variable%DND_RDF__Issue%.%Local__Ext%
Below is just an example written in response to your request. You will need to use as an example and/or change to meet your workflow automation needs.
Yep, it's my standard KM Variable naming convention for Global Variables:
"DND" -- means "Do Not Delete" so when you look at all of the KM variables in the Variable panel, you know NOT to delete variables that have this prefix.
"RDF" -- a 3-char prefix for the specific macro (or macro set) that this variable belongs to. In this case it is "Rename Downloaded File". This is to handle common cases like "FilePath" that might be needed in many different macros, but you don't want one to overwrite the other. So, "DND_RDF__FilePath" makes for a likely unique name.
"__" -- two underscores after that so that all of the prefix does NOT appear in the Prompt Action.
This has worked well for me for a long time, but each user should choose a naming convention that works best for them.
