How to increment file number?

[theprof]

I want to rename all file names to be "4 Digit Year-2 Digit Month-2 Digit Day 2 digit 24 hour-2 digit minutes-2 digit seconds 2 digit File Duplicate Count.Extension". The date should come from the Create Date.

Some examples of the correct file name format:

2019-01-02 13:05:01 01.mp4
2019-01-02 13:05:01 02.mp4
2019-01-02 13:05:01 03.mp4
2019-01-03 09:50:29 01.mp4
2020-02-05 10:05:55 01.mp4


I tried it with this and FileSequence but it didn't work.

exiftool -api QuickTimeUTC -d "%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S %%e" "-filename<CreateDate" -r "$DIR"

[StarGeek]

You need to add the %c variable. See the -w (-TextOut) option for more details about the % variables.

From the docs "By default, the copy number is omitted from the first file of a given name, but this can be changed by adding a decimal point to the modifier."
%.

You want to pad to two characters, so you start with
%.2

"Also, %c and %C may be modified by 'n' to count using natural numbers starting from 1, instead of 0 "
%.2n

With the final result of
%.2nc

Because this will be added to a -d (-dateFormat) option format string, the percent sign has to be doubled, the same as the extension %e variable in you example (though you forgot the dot . before the extension)

Adding this to the command you tried
exiftool -api QuickTimeUTC -d "%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S %%.2nc.%%e" "-Testname<CreateDate" -r "$DIR"

Note I used Testname, which will be a dry run to show you what the results would be. If it is correct, change Testname into FileName

Also, the example names you give for the target filename format include a colon. If you're using Windows, this is an illegal character for a filename. I believe Mac/Linux will allow it but it might cause problems if you have to move the files to a Windows system.

[wywh]

I have used the command below to rename images in macOS (in Windows use double quotes ").

It works otherwise well, but I have not found a way NOT to use file increment number 01 IF there are no date duplicates AND use file number 01 for the 1st one IF there are duplicates. So if there are duplicates I have to manually add 01 to the first image.

I use '-fileOrder5 FileName' so initial alphabetical file name order is used for the increments (unlike MacOS Extended, APFS file system otherwise feeds the files to exiftool in random order).

I have used 'ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' (the date/time when original image was created) as the golden standard for the image date. Recently I used only it but lately I have used '-AllDates' to cover also 'ExifIFD:CreateDate' (date/time that the digital file was created) and 'IFD0:ModifyDate' (supposed to be changed whenever the image is modified) if some app happens to need them. Usually they are the same anyway.

For movies I use 'QuickTime:CreateDate' ('Keys:CreationDate' might have the edit date if the movie is edited in a iOS/iPadOS mobile device but this might depend on the system version and the used workflow).

It would be possible to rename in subsecond accuracy but that bloats the file name too much for me. Quite rarely there are duplicate 1 second datetimes in my footage.

Code Select Expand

ls -l
a.jpg
b.jpg
c.jpg
d.jpg

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' -d '%Y-%m%d-%H%M-%S%%+2nc.%%e' .

ls -l                                                                                             
2024-0808-1839-45.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_02.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_03.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_04.jpg

...so I manually have to edit that to:

2024-0808-1839-45_01.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_02.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_03.jpg
2024-0808-1839-45_04.jpg
- Matti

[FrankB]

Have a look at the uppercase C

[wywh]

Have a look at the uppercase C

I tried but the old problem persists unless I am again missing something obvious. I have asked the same thing and then the answer was "Can't be done".

The file order is random when '-fileOrder5 FileName' is not used in the 1st listing:

Code Select Expand

exiftool -a -G1 -s -DateTimeOriginal .                                                             
======== ./b.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2024:08:08 18:11:36
======== ./c.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2024:08:08 18:11:36
======== ./a.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2024:08:08 18:11:36
======== ./d.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2024:08:08 18:11:37

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' -d '%Y-%m%d-%H%M-%S%%+nC.%%e' .

2024-0808-1811-361.jpg
2024-0808-1811-362.jpg
2024-0808-1811-363.jpg
2024-0808-1811-374.jpg
So this works otherwise but the first duplicate increment _01 must be manually added:

Code Select Expand

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' -d '%Y-%m%d-%H%M-%S%%+2nc.%%e' .

2024-0808-1811-36.jpg
2024-0808-1811-36_02.jpg
2024-0808-1811-36_03.jpg
2024-0808-1811-37.jpg
- Matti

[FrankB]

This is how it works on Windows 11 and ExifTool 12.99
I dont use fileorder, but I can imagine that the default file order in Windows and Mac are not the same.

For more info on the Semicolon (%1:2C) see this post:
https://exiftool.org/forum/index.php?topic=16432.0

Code Select Expand

C:\RenameTest>exiftool -filename -Exif:DateTimeOriginal *.jpg
======== File1.jpg
File Name                       : File1.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== File2.jpg
File Name                       : File2.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== File3.jpg
File Name                       : File3.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== File4.jpg
File Name                       : File4.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== File5.jpg
File Name                       : File5.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
    5 image files read

C:\RenameTest>exiftool -overwrite_original "-filename<${Exif:DateTimeOriginal} BlahBlah_%1:2C.%e" -d %Y%m%d *.jpg
    5 image files updated

C:\RenameTest>exiftool -filename -Exif:DateTimeOriginal *.jpg
======== 20240904 BlahBlah_01.jpg
File Name                       : 20240904 BlahBlah_01.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== 20240904 BlahBlah_02.jpg
File Name                       : 20240904 BlahBlah_02.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== 20240904 BlahBlah_03.jpg
File Name                       : 20240904 BlahBlah_03.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== 20240904 BlahBlah_04.jpg
File Name                       : 20240904 BlahBlah_04.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
======== 20240904 BlahBlah_05.jpg
File Name                       : 20240904 BlahBlah_05.jpg
Date/Time Original              : 2024:09:04 01:02:03
    5 image files read

[wywh]

This is how it works on Windows 11 and ExifTool 12.99

Thanks, I'll study those options.

But that command adds increment _04 also to the non-date-duplicate d.jpg while I'd like the non-duplicates be renamed without any _01 suffix.

Code Select Expand

exiftool -a -G1 -s -fileOrder5 FileName -FileName -DateTimeOriginal .           
======== ./a.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : a.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./b.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : b.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./c.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : c.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./d.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : d.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2022:02:02 22:22:22

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<${Exif:DateTimeOriginal BlahBlah_%1:2C.%e' -d %Y%m%d .

exiftool -a -G1 -s -fileOrder5 FileName -FileName -DateTimeOriginal .                         
======== ./20010101 BlahBlah_01.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 20010101 BlahBlah_01.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./20010101 BlahBlah_02.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 20010101 BlahBlah_02.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./20010101 BlahBlah_03.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 20010101 BlahBlah_03.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./20220202 BlahBlah_04.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 20220202 BlahBlah_04.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2022:02:02 22:22:22
Somehow GraphicConverter manages to do this:

Code Select Expand

2001-0101-1200-00_01.jpg
2001-0101-1200-00_02.jpg
2001-0101-1200-00_03.jpg
2022-0202-2222-22.jpg
- Matti

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Matti,

(we have sort of hijacked the original thread, but here goes anyway...)

I have not found a way NOT to use file increment number 01 IF there are no date duplicates AND use file number 01 for the 1st one IF there are duplicates.

I remember this coming up before, but can't think of a search in the forum that would find the original thread.

I suspect the answer is a 2-step process.

1. Rename all files as per your command:

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' -d '%Y-%m%d-%H%M-%S%%+2nc.%%e' .

2. Add "_01" to any file with a duplicate:

exiftool -filename=%-.3f_01.%e -srcfile %d%-.3f.%e *_02.*

- Phil

[wywh]

I remember this coming up before, but can't think of a search in the forum that would find the original thread.

I suspect the answer is a 2-step process.

Thanks, that workaround works (I added Description to keep track which file is which):

Code Select Expand

exiftool -a -G1 -s -fileOrder5 FileName -FileName -Description -DateTimeOriginal .
======== ./a.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : a.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : a.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./b.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : b.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : b.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./c.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : c.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : c.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./d.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : d.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : d.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2022:02:02 22:22:22

exiftool -fileOrder5 FileName '-FileName<ExifIFD:DateTimeOriginal' -d '%Y-%m%d-%H%M-%S%%+2nc.%%e' .

exiftool -a -G1 -s -fileOrder5 FileName -FileName -Description -DateTimeOriginal .                
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : a.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00_02.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00_02.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : b.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00_03.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00_03.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : c.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2022-0202-2222-22.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2022-0202-2222-22.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : d.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2022:02:02 22:22:22

exiftool -FileName=%-.3f_01.%e -srcfile %d%-.3f.%e *_02.*

exiftool -a -G1 -s -fileOrder5 FileName -FileName -Description -DateTimeOriginal .
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00_01.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00_01.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : a.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00_02.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00_02.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : b.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2001-0101-1200-00_03.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2001-0101-1200-00_03.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : c.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2001:01:01 12:00:00
======== ./2022-0202-2222-22.jpg
[System]        FileName                        : 2022-0202-2222-22.jpg
[XMP-dc]        Description                     : d.jpg
[ExifIFD]       DateTimeOriginal                : 2022:02:02 22:22:22
- Matti

[FrankB]

But that command adds increment _04 also to the non-date-duplicate d.jpg while I'd like the non-duplicates be renamed without any _01 suffix.

OK. I had missed that requirement. Good that there's a workaround.