04-21-2011, 06:10 PM

There are 3 things Im missing from windows. The main question:

1)how to rename multiples file at once? In Windows I would select multiple files, second click and rename. Then, the first file would be renamed and all other files would be renamed with (2), (3), (4), etc...how do I do it in Mac OS? I heard its possible using automator, but I couldnt figure it out.

and more over:

2)When moving files, lets say I move a group of files to a new location and some of the files in the new location have the same name as some of the files Im trying to move. In Windows, Im given 3 options: Cancel, Replace, Move and rename (a (2) is automatically added to the file). In Mac Os, Im only given Cancel and Replace. How do I move and rename?

3)In addition when moving folders, in Windows, If I move a folder to a location that alredy has a folder with the same name as the folder Im trying to move, Im given the option to merge the folders into one. In Mac OS Im only given the option to cancel or replace.....how do I merge?

04-21-2011, 10:26 PM

There's an application called "A Better Finder Rename"... give it a try.

07-17-2011, 06:19 AM

Why is renaming multiple filenames not a standard feature in the iMac/finder??? these are functions that should be standard in a good OS. This is bad.

07-17-2011, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by ed81

Why is renaming multiple filenames not a standard feature in the iMac/finder??? these are functions that should be standard in a good OS. This is bad.

We're all glad that you consider OS X to be a good OS. But don't be . Apple accepts suggestions. Send one to them. The more they get, the better the chances of incorporating the functionality.

By the way, to the OP: I've heard of an add on application to merger folders, just can't remember the name. Maybe a search engine could find that.

07-17-2011, 08:01 AM

Just because you want to do something does not mean it should be a standard feature of the OS.

Hey, Windows machines regularly get viruses. Should THAT be a standard feature of the Mac OS? I don't think so!

Batch renaming happens rarely enough (outside photography) that it's not really something the typical user would do. We gotta give the third-party devs *something* to work with, you know?

As for the merging folders, however, good news! According to this page, Apple will be adding this option in Lion. I will cheerfully admit that the *option* to merge folders when dragging one on top of another is a good idea Windows had first.

So, the score stands at Windows: 1, Mac: 10,387.

07-17-2011, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by chas_m

that it's not really something the typical user would do..

Not only photography... what about renaming the subtitle-files for Dexter season1,2,3,4,5 and other tv-series for instance.

It would be great for all users not needing to install 3rd party software for small functions like this, because extra software may cause conflicts in time I noticed. Even on a iMac. I'm not talking about viruses. I've read there's much less viruses for iMac luckily. I'm talking about compatibility problems which are mostly caused by 3rd party software.

I'm glad to hear apple accepts suggestions. I'm going to have a look on their site to see if I can find where.

07-17-2011, 12:23 PM

Actually I do batch renames all the time. Then again, I do it in terminal, not the GUI. That being said, I've heard many people like 'Better Finder' for this type of stuff.

07-17-2011, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by LeandrodaFL

1)how to rename multiples file at once? In Windows I would select multiple files, second click and rename. Then, the first file would be renamed and all other files would be renamed with (2), (3), (4), etc...how do I do it in Mac OS? I heard its possible using automator, but I couldnt figure it out.

Batch Rename | Automator World

and more over:

Originally Posted by LeandrodaFL

2)When moving files, lets say I move a group of files to a new location and some of the files in the new location have the same name as some of the files Im trying to move. In Windows, Im given 3 options: Cancel, Replace, Move and rename (a (2) is automatically added to the file). In Mac Os, Im only given Cancel and Replace. How do I move and rename?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0

Originally Posted by LeandrodaFL

3)In addition when moving folders, in Windows, If I move a folder to a location that alredy has a folder with the same name as the folder Im trying to move, Im given the option to merge the folders into one. In Mac OS Im only given the option to cancel or replace.....how do I merge?

OS X: how to merge folder contents, not replace - MacRumors Forums

Sorry I haven't tried any of the suggestions...

Alot of things can be achieved within the confines of Mac using automator, and/or applescript. That being said, 3rd party apps often just make them prettier (grins), but I have found that often the mac equivalents are more powerful.

Words of advice: 1) Use google; a word search including "Mac" or OS version or OSX will often get what you are looking for, search for "Mac equivalent" will go a long way too.

2) take a look thru the sticky at the top of "Switcher's Hangout" and actually all the subforums in "Mac-Forums".

3) The less you try to compare and maybe just ask "How do I...", the happier you will be and the more helpful and less irratable others will be. Understand that Mac was never a copy of Windows, Windows just made themselves more accessible quicker (and cheaper) then mac did.

07-18-2011, 10:24 PM

I created an Automator service to do it. If you create a new service in Automator and add the same functions I did, you can easily batch rename by selecting all files you want, right click and select "Services" and run it from there. Sorry if my screenshot is a little pixelated.

07-19-2011, 02:22 PM

OS X Lion will let you merge folders, and will be available in a matter of days. Just give it time. It will also enable truly full screen apps. So eventually these kinds of features make their way to OS X.

I use Namechanger to rename multiple files. It works pretty good.