Creating a renaming template

In the Import From dialog box, you can create, name, and save a template that gives each file a unique name as they are imported and placed on your hard drive. You can then re-use the template each time you import photos. Renaming templates can have a numerical sequence, custom text, and file-specific information in each new file name. You can create and save different renaming templates for different sorts of files. For example, you could have a different renaming template for a different camera, or a different type of file.

To create a renaming template:

1. In the Import From dialog box, select Rename files to.
2. From the drop-down list, select one of the following system templates:
   • Date/Time – File name: Renames the files using the date and time each file was created and the original file name.
   • Date/Time: Renames the files using the date and time each file was created.
   • Camera – sequence number: Renames the files using the camera name and a sequential number.
   • Date/time – sequence number: Renames the files using the date and time each file was created and a sequential number.
   • Camera-filename: Renames the files with the name of the camera and each file’s original name.
3. To create your own renaming template, or add to a system template, click Edit.
4. In the Rename Templates dialog box, select from the options as described in the table below.
5. Click OK.

If you select the Skip video and audio files check box, the rename process will not rename video and audio files.

Rename Templates options

System template drop-down list	Click the drop-down list to select a different pre-defined system template.
New rename template	Click to open the New Rename Template dialog box where you can type in a name for your own renaming template. Give the renaming template a name that clearly identifies how you plan to use the template, or what kind of information the name will contain. For example, Camera name_photographer. When you click Save, the name of your new template is added to the drop-down list of system templates.
Delete	Deletes the renaming template currently selected in the drop-down list unless it is a pre-defined system template, which cannot be deleted.
Rename Template	Use this field to create the renaming template. You can type in the photographer’s name and an underscore between each element of the template to make it easier to read. Use the following placeholders to ensure that each filename is unique: Insert an * . When your files are renamed, the * will be replaced by the original file name. Insert a #. When your files are renamed, each # will be replaced by a sequential number. If you have a large number of files, insert several ##s. For example, if you enter ###, the first file renamed will be numbered 001, the next 002, and so on. If you have over 1000 files, insert ####. Insert a metadata placeholder < > and the data inside these brackets is replaced with whatever data you have chosen. For example, if you choose <Camera:Model>, the model of the camera is inserted into each file name.
Insert Metadata	Click to open the Choose Properties dialog box, where you can select from a long list of metadata to insert into your template.
Sample	As you type, or add placeholders in the Rename Template field, the same updates to show you a sample of how renaming template will look.
Skip video and audio files	Skips the renaming of video and audio files during the rename process.

See also:

• Importing files with ACDSee 12

Creating a renaming template