Way to search replace for changed column names

[Rellwood]

When I try to do a search/replace for column names using Notepad++ on the metadata_pref_backup.json file and save it, none of the changes stay. When I go back and check the file the changes have reverted. I know I "edit with" and not just "open" the file and I know I save them.

Is there something I am missing?

Do I need to update a plugin or something?

Long story short, I have over the years changed the column names of some of my standard columns, and I am tired of my virtual libraries and searches and column sorting coming out wrong because the columns are no longer listed.

I have "#genres" to "#b_genres"
#dateadded #orig_date_added
#original_file_name to #original_bookfile_name
#amazon_dateadded to #amazon_purchase_date
#goodreads to #id_goodreads_1
#amazon to #id_amazon_1
#bookshelves to #da_bookshelves
#booksource to #primary_booksource

etc.

any suggestions on what I could/should do to fix it so that I can just do a search and replace for the old columns to the new columns and have it apply to all my library parts (understanding that I am just dealing with things in the main .json and not the plugin .jsons)

[kovidgoyal]

that json file is a backup it is not used for anything so editing it is not going to achieve anything. The only in app way to do it is manually. Other options are to write a python script that uses the calibre database api to do it.