Adding prefix and suffix to file names

RobertKoval · 06-05-2020, 06:12 AM

For a long time the question bothers me: can you change the file name in Sigil, and add a prefix with numbering?

Of course, I know about the possibility of adding a numbered suffix, but then the name is replaced with a new one.
With the help of the wonderful ReRename, I can add something before or after the name using regular expressions and thank you very much for this opportunity.

But my problem is different.
I would like to add some repetitive string to the existing name, plus numbering.
I will demonstrate this with the best example.

Here are the original names:

I would like to be able to add numbering (prefix):
numbering + any string + original filename

or suffix:
original filename + any string + numbering

I suspect that this option is not currently available [Sigil 1.2.0] (except for manual adding).
Is this type of rename possible to implement?
Or maybe with a plugin? That would probably be the best idea.

Doitsu · 06-05-2020, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertKoval

I suspect that this option is not currently available [Sigil 1.2.0] (except for manual adding).

You can use the built-in RegExRename option to insert text in existing file names, but you can't insert running counters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertKoval

Or maybe with a plugin? That would probably be the best idea.

Not really, because such a plugin would have to update all file references, which would require a lot of effort for little benefit.

KevinH · 06-05-2020, 02:42 PM

You can also renumber files in naming. I do not have access to Sigil right now to remember how. But by selective renumbering and using Regex rename, you should be able to get something reasonable.

RobertKoval · 06-05-2020, 06:26 PM

Thank you for both answers.

I tried in different ways, but automatic numbering (which I have been using for years) always deletes the original name.

So I can from such names …

cover.xhtml
titlepage.xhtml
copyright.xhtml

… using RegExRename to get …

cover-something.xhtml
titlepage-something.xhtml
copyright-something.xhtml

... but numbering will delete the original name:

something-01.xhtml
something-02.xhtml
something-03.xhtml

However, if there is such a possibility – I will gladly wait for answer.

On the other hand – I understand perfectly what Doitsu mentioned, that each change of file names requires checking the entire file structure and inserting new names each time in all places. But the plugins are just for that!
I will quote from the Automate the Boring Stuff with Python book:

Quote:

Many people spend hours clicking and typing to perform repetitive tasks, unaware that the machine they're using could do their job in seconds if they gave it the right instructions.

I searched the MR forum and found a few posts that mention that using plugins you can't rename files. So I understand that this is not possible (although I'd love to be wrong).

KevinH · 06-05-2020, 06:56 PM

Plugins have no interface to rename as the code to do that and update all of the links properly is inside Sigil not in the plugin code.

Why can you just use Regex Rename with a selected set of files (not all of them) to add your desired prefix? Similarly, have you tried highlighting just the chapter files to renumber and renumber them then select those to add the prefix with Regex Renamer?

RobertKoval · 06-06-2020, 02:03 AM

I do just that! I was just looking for a faster solution.

KevinH · 06-06-2020, 10:14 AM

Why? That is not a very common problem to solve. In fact, I strip out the prefixes and suffixes when starting to clean most books as they normally start with a "digit" or non-common character, add no value, do not help protect the book contents in any way, add wasted size to all links, add wasted space to the epub, etc.

theducks · 06-06-2020, 10:28 AM

here also. Why?
The device does not care.

The standard Sequential: Section### allows you to put things back in order if you manage to destroy the OPF .

And WHY do you need an ISBN included? Are you splitting work, then re-merging the pieces?

AlanHK · 06-08-2020, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

And WHY do you need an ISBN included? Are you splitting work, then re-merging the pieces?

Many publishers do that. Quite annoying as I have to widen the browser pane just to distinguish the filenames. If I'm doing anything to one I would rename them all to "chap01" or similar style.

When you are importing files from one book to another, it is useful to have a unique prefix, but the ISBN is just too long.

RobertKoval · 06-11-2020, 05:33 PM

Thank you very much for all comments. After thinking about the matter, I decided that this function is not really that important. If necessary, I can change these several or several files manually or semi-automatically with the help of existing Rename and RegEx Rename functions.

For clarification:
Indeed, adding prefixes in the form of numbers or ISBNs to file names is not my invention, but the editorial department in a publishing house that wants to maintain "order" in its digital publications.

06-05-2020, 06:12 AM	#1
RobertKoval Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2014 Device: PW2	Adding prefix and suffix to file names For a long time the question bothers me: can you change the file name in Sigil, and add a prefix with numbering? Of course, I know about the possibility of adding a numbered suffix, but then the name is replaced with a new one. With the help of the wonderful ReRename, I can add something before or after the name using regular expressions and thank you very much for this opportunity. But my problem is different. I would like to add some repetitive string to the existing name, plus numbering. I will demonstrate this with the best example. Here are the original names: I would like to be able to add numbering (prefix): numbering + any string + original filename or suffix: original filename + any string + numbering I suspect that this option is not currently available [Sigil 1.2.0] (except for manual adding). Is this type of rename possible to implement? Or maybe with a plugin? That would probably be the best idea. Attached Thumbnails

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06-05-2020, 02:42 PM	#3
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,760 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	You can also renumber files in naming. I do not have access to Sigil right now to remember how. But by selective renumbering and using Regex rename, you should be able to get something reasonable.

06-05-2020, 06:56 PM	#5
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,760 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	Plugins have no interface to rename as the code to do that and update all of the links properly is inside Sigil not in the plugin code. Why can you just use Regex Rename with a selected set of files (not all of them) to add your desired prefix? Similarly, have you tried highlighting just the chapter files to renumber and renumber them then select those to add the prefix with Regex Renamer?

06-06-2020, 02:03 AM	#6
RobertKoval Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2014 Device: PW2	I do just that! I was just looking for a faster solution.

06-06-2020, 10:14 AM	#7
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,760 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	Why? That is not a very common problem to solve. In fact, I strip out the prefixes and suffixes when starting to clean most books as they normally start with a "digit" or non-common character, add no value, do not help protect the book contents in any way, add wasted size to all links, add wasted space to the epub, etc.

06-06-2020, 10:28 AM	#8
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	here also. Why? The device does not care. The standard Sequential: Section### allows you to put things back in order if you manage to destroy the OPF . And WHY do you need an ISBN included? Are you splitting work, then re-merging the pieces?

06-11-2020, 05:33 PM	#10
RobertKoval Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2014 Device: PW2	Thank you very much for all comments. After thinking about the matter, I decided that this function is not really that important. If necessary, I can change these several or several files manually or semi-automatically with the help of existing Rename and RegEx Rename functions. For clarification: Indeed, adding prefixes in the form of numbers or ISBNs to file names is not my invention, but the editorial department in a publishing house that wants to maintain "order" in its digital publications.

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