custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

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mjbrookes
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custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

Hi
IS it possible to copy/move the contents of one file attribute to another?

eg
I have a lot of audio files where I would like to copy the "Album" text into the "Comment" column
or maybe the contents of the "Subtitle" field into the "Description field.

[1]
I can see that by using Mass file rename I can do things like add the contents of the Subtitle attribute to the filename ($B__${subtitle});
but can I use it to modify the contents of one attribute with another?


[2]
Also is it possible to extract part of the filename, and store it in the comment (or other) field?

Thanks
MArk
Last edited by mjbrookes on 2019 Apr 13, 17:37, edited 1 time in total.
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nikos
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Re: custom columns - multi file column editing?

Post by nikos »

at present this is only possible "manually", e.g. using the spreadsheet edit mode of the detailed view
but you gave me an idea for the next version!
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file column editing?

Post by mjbrookes »

Thank you for your most prompt reply.

before I begin editing hundreds of files ... how long away do you expect the 'next version' to be :D

thanks
Mark
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Re: custom columns - multi file column editing?

Post by nikos »

usually it comes around September-October but it isn't clock-like as the equinoxes :)

you can probably do it using powershell scripts, see this article if you are happy with scripting
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

Hi Nikos

Sadly that level of scripting is beyond me.

I am at the cut & Paste and see if it works level :|

Scripting Syntax is beyond me ... which is just as well because I can't afford any more taxes anyway !
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

but you gave me an idea for the next version!
How about something like:-

Mass rename wizard

Source field:....................................Mode:...............Destination field:
(select from drop down)......................(whole).............(select from drop down)
....................................................(part)
....................................................(search & Multi)
.....
What to Match: (find text)
Target replace template: (replace text)
.....
Special Tokens:
.....
Preview:
.....
.....
.....
Rename / cancel



Preferably; the (Select from dropdown) lists would list all the currently displayed columns.

what do you think?
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nikos
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by nikos »

mass rename can already do all the columns, see the "file attribute" special token. So all that's left is a selector that controls what gets changed, name for regular mass rename, or other text-based file attribute
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

agreed;
I have already added 'Album' to my filename by using:-
mode ------------------------------------------------ Match & replace part
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- $B
Target replace template: (replace text) ------ $B__${album}


previously, when I said "(select from drop down) "
I was thinking of the File Attributes List.

so in the "Source Field" I could select a single item form the File Attribute List:
Then I would select the Mode
Then in the "Destination Field" I could select a single item form the File Attribute List:

EG In my imagination ...

to add the 'Album' to the Filename (replaces the existing method)
Source ----------------------------------------------- ${Album}
mode ------------------------------------------------ Match & replace part
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- $B
Target replace template: (replace text) ------ $B__${Album}

But I could ALSO do things like:-
to copy creation date to description field (to keep a true record of the date on which a podcast was published even after I copy it to different storage drives)
Source ----------------------------------------------- ${Created}
mode ------------------------------------------------ Replace whole Destination Field
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- ${Created}
Target replace template: (replace text) ------ ${Description}

... It would be super excellent if I could also do operations on the strings
to add the dd/mm/yyyy from creation date to the existing Destination/target field
Source ----------------------------------------------- ${Created}
mode ------------------------------------------------ Match & replace part
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- ${Description}__=left(${Created},10)
Target replace template: (replace text) ------ ${Description}
(may need a new special token for 'destination/target field'

or how about just editing the text within a column:
Source ----------------------------------------------- ${Keywords}
mode ------------------------------------------------ Match & replace part
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- ${Keywords}__fred to append keyword fred
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- =mid(${Keywords},10,5)__${email} to select characters 10 to 14 from existing Keywords and then add ${email}
What to Match: (find text)----------------------- =replace(${Keywords},fred, david) within Keywords, replace Fred with David, and keep all other keyword content the same
Target replace template: (replace text) ------ ${Keywords}



These are the sort of things I would like to be able to do, but I have no idea on how feasible /practical they are.
I hope this makes sense :-/



From my recent experiments with column customization I can see that not all columns/field CAN be edited.
So it would be useful in these cases to receive a explaining message such as
"the selected target/destination field/attribute can not be modified for this file type"
or even better if the attributes-(select from drop down)-list showed which attributes COULD be modified for the current selection.

I hope these ideas are interesting.

regards
Mark
Last edited by mjbrookes on 2019 Apr 16, 10:07, edited 2 times in total.
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

extra idea:

I do not use the Ultimate version.

but I wonder if the programmable column already does some of what I would like?

perhaps I could build the column contents I want with the programmable column, and then mass rename copy those contents to another field/attribute so that they are attached to the file and visible in windows explorer

regards
Mark
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nikos
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by nikos »

programmable column could be used for mass rename but not for setting other file attributes
just wait for v4.3 betas, and then you can give your feedback and shape the new feature
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

Thats an interesting idea.
I have not been involved with betas before,
how do I get involved?
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by nikos »

when you see information about a new beta announced, you can jump in the testing :)
but it won't be till the end of the summer I think
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by johngalt »

One thing: Nikos' ßetas are really much, much closer to Release Candidates, than they are ßetas. So, don't be discouraged / daunted by the fact that it is a ßeta releasae - it's still gonna be rock solid as the previously stable version that you have installed.

And, IIRC, Nikos takes pains to make sure that you can install it as a separate app, independent of the currently installed stable version, allowing you to test o your heart's content, while not breaking anything in the installed stable version. He can (and probably will :D ) confirm this as well.
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nikos
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by nikos »

true, "beta" means that I already tested the worst bits (alpha) on myself before inviting innocent bystanders :)
so it isn't going to set churches on fire, but it may work a bit quirky
mjbrookes
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Re: custom columns - multi file multi-column editing? - attributes editing

Post by mjbrookes »

Ooohh good
I am an innocent bystander;
not an instigator!
:shifty:

I'll keep an eye out for the beta later in the year

Regards
Mark
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