Sometimes one has to rename a lot of files, and the existing (common) system of clicking three times (click file, click again to rename highlighting all the name, click a third time to choose the point of edit), is very cumbersome.
It would be nice if there was an "edit mode" whereby wherever you click on any filename goes directly into editing at that point, so it would be just like using notepad where you can directly click and type anywhere.
I suspect such a toggle on the menu could go under Edit, from a personal perspective I would be looking to have a command I can put a shortcut to.
I think this would make a huge difference to this common task and would expect it's fairly trivial to create.
David
Name Edit Mode
Re: Name Edit Mode
That feature already exists:
- Select your files
- Press F2 (or Menu => File => Rename)
- Old Format = (empty)
- New Format = (empty)
- Edit the names in the New filenames: box.
- OK
- Select your files
- Press F2 (or Menu => File => Rename)
- Old Format = (empty)
- New Format = (empty)
- Edit the names in the New filenames: box.
- OK
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meteorquake
- Posts: 546
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:44 pm
Re: Name Edit Mode
Sort of, which is some help as a thought, but it presumes the files being edited are all nicely in one place otherwise you have to keep pressing F2 a lot in order to get into that mode.
I'm thinking the mode I'd suggested would be pretty straightforward code-wise, equivalent to 3 clicks in the spot you click, and it would get around that.
I'm thinking the mode I'd suggested would be pretty straightforward code-wise, equivalent to 3 clicks in the spot you click, and it would get around that.
Re: Name Edit Mode
Why do you think so?meteorquake wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 9:39 am I'm thinking the mode I'd suggested would be pretty straightforward code-wise,
To me it sounds like replacing the stock Windows control with a "roll-your-own" code replacement.
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meteorquake
- Posts: 546
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:44 pm
Re: Name Edit Mode
Maybe it isn't so straightforward then...
If so, perhaps then a useful amendment would be enhancing the F2 approach mentioned. I am thinking it would be useful for example if there was a discrete button that could launch the contents of the lower pane in one's favourite text editor such as Notepad4 (set in settings, perhaps the button could ask for the value if one hasn't been given) to provide richer editing of the names, as it can be useful to use rectangular-selection edits on files or a vetted find and replace; it would presumably need a temporary file for this. Then when the dialog receives focus back if it finds the file has been amended (A attribute) it updates that lower pane with your edits, you click OK and the file names update.
David
If so, perhaps then a useful amendment would be enhancing the F2 approach mentioned. I am thinking it would be useful for example if there was a discrete button that could launch the contents of the lower pane in one's favourite text editor such as Notepad4 (set in settings, perhaps the button could ask for the value if one hasn't been given) to provide richer editing of the names, as it can be useful to use rectangular-selection edits on files or a vetted find and replace; it would presumably need a temporary file for this. Then when the dialog receives focus back if it finds the file has been amended (A attribute) it updates that lower pane with your edits, you click OK and the file names update.
David