Renaming multiple files by adding a string to the beginning

Question

For about 200 files in a directory I would like to add the String 1_ to the beginning of all filenames.

The filenames are, for example, DATASET_X_Y_Z and the result should be 1_DATASET_X_Y_Z.

I don't know a thing about Shell scripting, but maybe there is a one liner for the terminal.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5796615/how-can-i-add-a-string-to-the-beginning-of-each-file-in-a-folder-in-bash — Rinzwind, Jun 08 '11 at 07:35
@Rinzwind link is about a different question. Macydanim question is about prepending strings to filenames, not to file contents. — j.c, Oct 03 '16 at 21:46

score 51 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 08 '11 at 09:59

51

rename 's/^/1_/' * for renaming all files in the current directory

or

rename 's/^/1_/' DATASET* for renaming all files in the current directory starting with DATASET in their name

Explanation: the expression s/^/1_/ says: "replace the beginning of the filename (that means this symbol -> ^)' with 1_".

answered Jun 08 '11 at 09:59

dAnjou

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If your `rename` doesn't do this out of the box, you need to install `prename` (PERL rename). – user1359 Jan 15 '16 at 00:51

score 27 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 19 '17 at 06:27

27

You can easily rename all the files in current directory typing (assuming you are using bash):

for i in *; do mv "$i" 1_"$i"; done

obviously take it with care; it will remane ALL the files in the current directory that are 'visible' (filename not starting with a '.')

edited Jan 19 '17 at 06:27

Zanna

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answered Jun 08 '11 at 07:40

karlacio

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This is the first correct solution I found, which can be used for appending something like `.csv` to a subset of files, with a changed wild card expression instead of `*`. +1 – Zelphir Kaltstahl Nov 20 '16 at 12:35
Wow! Loops on the CLI! This is new. :) – Wachaga Mwaura Jul 27 '19 at 16:26
tke it with care indeed if you get the second i wrong: for i in *; do mv "$i" b"$1"; done cheers to your files. you've been warned. (I backed up the folder before trying this. fortunately). – Neil Sep 24 '21 at 22:10

score 10 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 08 '11 at 09:52

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You can use pyRenamer. It can be found in the Ubuntu software center. enter image description here The original file pattern should be {X} and the renamed file pattern should be 1_{1}

edited Jun 08 '11 at 09:52

Egil

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answered Jun 08 '11 at 07:37

nickguletskii

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One of my favourite programs – Allan Jul 15 '11 at 13:40

Renaming multiple files by adding a string to the beginning

3 Answers3