How to batch rename multiple files across multiple folders and combine them into one massive folder?

Question

I have a list of 100+ folders listed already in order.

Folder 1 Folder 2 Folder 3 etc...

In each of the folder contains images that are also in order

001.jpg 002.jpg 003.jpg etc...

Ultimately, I am trying to combine these 100+ folders into one massive folder with all the images inside according to their order, renaming each image from 000000001 - 99999999.

I am a complete beginner in coding. I have tried using Bulk Renaming Utility but i cant get it to combine all the images from multiple folders into one folder.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you!

Do you want to combine all images into one folder? or Do you want to combine all folders with images into one folder? — Abdush Shakoor Mohamed Nazeer, Sep 14 '19 at 09:16
Well, Stack Overflow is not a free coding service. Try to solve the problem yourself, write some code and if you get stuck on a certain step, feel free to ask a question about that particular problem. — Cosmin Staicu, Sep 14 '19 at 09:26
See code below. As a `complete beginner in coding`, you have to promise to research the heart of this script which is the `get-childitem` cmdlet as well as formatting numeric values (`$targetFileNameIndex`) to be used as a string and the `Copy-Item` cmdlet. This is a pretty good source: [Powershell Tutorial](https://www.tutorialspoint.com/powershell/index.htm). Note: Since you want to rename each image 00000001 - 99999999, I assume you want to combine all images into one folder and not combine all folders with images into one folder — VA systems engineer, Sep 14 '19 at 14:57
@CosminStaicu I have tried my own code but i did not succeed. I agree with Stack Overflow not being a free coding service. I will post a question about a stuck code after ive tried harder. Im admittedly still learning. — Daryl Chua, Sep 18 '19 at 12:28
@MegaColorBoy sorry if i was unclear. Im trying to combine all images into one folder. — Daryl Chua, Sep 18 '19 at 12:31
@NovaSysEng Thanks! Your answer helped alot! I will test it out. I will also take a closer look at the tutorials — Daryl Chua, Sep 18 '19 at 12:32
You're welcome. Please accept my answer if you feel it answers your question — VA systems engineer, Sep 18 '19 at 14:42

VA systems engineer · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-14T15:56:17.690

Here's the minimum script needed to meet your requirements. There's no error checking.

Set $topSourceFolderName and $targetFolderName as needed for your computer

I assume your 100+ folders, Folder 1 Folder 2 Folder 3 etc. all exist under a single parent folder ($topSourceFolderName)

I assume the single parent folder and all of the 100+ folders under the single parent folder contain only jpg files

I assume your "one massive folder" ($targetFolderName) is NOT anywhere under the single parent folder ($topSourceFolderName)

I assume the PowerShell script is stored in a folder other than $topSourceFolderName or $targetFolderName

Email me at william.s.charlton@outlook.com if you have any questions

In my example, the PowerShell script is stored in c:\temp\bulkConsolidate.ps1

C:\Temp\massiveFolder is the target folder. It is initially empty.

C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 1 has 001.jpg and 002.jpg

C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 2 has 001.jpg and 002.jpg

After the script is run, C:\Temp\massiveFolder has 00000001.jpg, 00000002.jpg, 00000003.jpg, and 00000004.jpg

00000001.jpg is copied from C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 1\001.jpg

00000002.jpg is copied from C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 1\002.jpg

00000003.jpg is copied from C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 2\001.jpg

00000004.jpg is copied from C:\Temp\topFolder\Folder 2\002.jpg

cls

$topSourceFolderName = "C:\Temp\topFolder"
$targetFolderName = "C:\Temp\massiveFolder"

#define empty PowerShell array 
$fullyQualifiedJpgSourceFileNameList = @()

#get fully-qualified file name (FullName) for all files in and below $topFolderNmae
$fullyQualifiedJpgSourceFileNameList = @((Get-ChildItem -recurse -LiteralPath $topSourceFolderName -File) | Select -Property FullName | sort -Property FullName)

#Copy each file to the single target directory, renaming each file as it is copied

$targetFileNameIndex = 0

foreach ($fullyQualifiedJpgSourceFileName in $fullyQualifiedJpgSourceFileNameList)
{
    #create fully qualified target file name for this jpg file
    #format $targetFileNameIndex so it has 8 leading digits
    #https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/hey-scripting-guy-how-can-i-use-leading-zeroes-when-displaying-a-value-in-windows-powershell/
    $fullyQualifiedJpgTargetFileName = ($targetFolderName + "\" + $targetFileNameIndex.ToString("00000000") + ".jpg")

    #increment index for next jpg file copy
    $targetFileNameIndex = ($targetFileNameIndex + 1);

    Copy-Item -LiteralPath $fullyQualifiedJpgSourceFileName.FullName -Destination $fullyQualifiedJpgTargetFileName -Force
}

How to batch rename multiple files across multiple folders and combine them into one massive folder?

1 Answers1