Renaming WAV Files in a Folder

Greetings Everyone!

I request you for some assistance on a task that has been consuming a lot of time on a day-to-day basis. I’m currently doing this manually, which requires me to work through 1000+ files daily.

The task entails the following:

1. I have 1000+ wav files in a folder
2. The naming convention is as follows: “10059853 2014-06-05 09_12_54 0123456789 -_ 12146135740 ID_16207461.wav”
3. Each name has a unique ID at the beginning “10059853“ in this case
4. I have another list (2000-5000) entries with some more information. One of the columns in this has unique ID, which exactly match the unique ID of the file name

My request:

1. I’m seeking some help to be able to create a sub-folder within the folder / outside that has 1000+ WAV files
2. Rename the files (1000+) by picking the information from the larger list (2000-5000) for the IDs that match the IDs in the names of the “WAV files
3. Have attached a spreadsheet with some examples and the requested output

Appreciate all your help on this!

Happy to answer any questions or provide further clarity (if need be).

Best regards,
Spi

Good day!

May I please request your kind assistance on this.....

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Spi

Request some kind consideration on this.

Please assist!

Regards,
Spi

Hello spiwere,

The attached workbook has the macro below added to it along with a button on the worksheet to run it. You did not say what the parent folder was. The default parent folder location is "My Documents". The user can select a different folder when the macro is run.

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Thanks a zillion times.

I'll try this out, and shortly come back to seek any further advice or close this thread.

You guys are awesome. Can't wait to get to work and see the magic happening.


Thank you, Thank you!

Thanks a zillion times.

I'll try this out, and shortly come back ti seek any further advice or close this thread.

You guys are awesome. Can't wait to get to work and see the magic happening.


Thank you, Thank you!

Originally Posted by Leith Ross

Hello spiwere,

The attached workbook has the macro below added to it along with a button on the worksheet to run it. You did not say what the parent folder was. The default parent folder location is "My Documents". The user can select a different folder when the macro is run.

[End Sub
[/code]

Thanks once again for offering to help me out. But I'm somehow unable to execute the code. This is what I have changed:

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On running the code in it shows a message that files were copied and renamed in a sub-folder, but no files are found in the new folder that was created....

Also, my apologies in case I wasn't clear in my request. My spreadsheet only has Columns B, C, D and E.

The original file names in Column A and requested file name in column F are not a part of the spreadsheet. These were purely given to help understand my request. I would like the macro to read the Unique ID from Column B of the spreadsheet select the file from the Parent folder which has the same ID, and then create a copy with the new naming convention.

Hope this clarifies my problem. Once again apologies if I wasn't clear in the first instance.

Please advise.

Hello spiwere,

I have made a few changes to the code . This should work for now. Here is the updated code and workbook.

Macro Version 2

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[CODE]

I have made a few changes to the code . This should work for now. Here is the updated code and workbook.

[\CODE]

I'm still getting the same error. It says that the file were Renamed and Copied, but nothing gets copied or renamed. I do get a New Folder created though. Please advise if I'm missing anything.

Really appreciate your efforts and help!

Regards,
Spi

Originally Posted by LJMetzger

In your data file you have two lines for Unique Id 732913.

Lewis

Spot on. Yes, there is a rule. I just realized it. On downloading the WAV files from the server I noticed 2 things that will need to be incorporated in the code. They are:

1). In most cases my server is downloading 2 copies of the same file with exactly the same name up to this point 732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 i.e. excluding the ID_16184365.wav last bit of the original file name (732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 ID_16184365.wav) - In these cases, I'll only like to copy and rename one of the files.

2). Wherever there are more iterations of the same unique ID (as in the case you pointed out). I would like the code to rename and copy the unique file for that as well. To cite an example:

Unique ID:

• 732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 ID_16184365.wav – Time is 08:45:54
• 732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 ID_16184367.wav – Time is 08:45:54
• 732913 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 ID_16184368.wav – Time is 09:13:13
• 732913 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 ID_16184375.wav – Time is 09:13:13

I would like 2 files to be copied and renamed as follows:

• 65084554_Rich Craft
• 65091313_Rich Craft

Please let me know if I don’t make any sense!

Hello spiwere,

Are you receiving an error message? If so, what is the number or error description?

Are the files all on the same drive? If not then there will be problems with the rename statement.

You both rock! I am away from office today. I'll test the code late in the evening when I get to work.

Please accept my sincere thank you for helping me out (both of you).

Can't wait to test it.

Thanks a zillion times. I'll update you on the outcome or seek further advice shortly.

Have a great day. God bless!

Relying from phone, please forgive any typos.

Originally Posted by LJMetzger

Try the attached file. I included several dummy data files in a .zip file that can be used for testing.

Lewis

Dear Lewis,

This looks amazing, but unfortunately due to my little VB knowledge I'm unable to process it.

Could you please assist me with the steps that I need to follow. Here's what I've done:

Selected the New 'Wav File' Folder Name - This is the folder path where my .WAV files reside

1). What do I need to do here on this line - Default Wav Control File Start String (e.g. ABC)?
2). Wav Control File Folder on clicking this it shows me ExcelForumR*.xls* - I'm not sure what is to be done next?

My apologies this is a fantastic code, but I'm missing a trick or two to use it. Please accept my apologies.

Look forward to your assistance!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Leith Ross

Hello spiwere,

Are you receiving an error message? If so, what is the number or error description?

Are the files all on the same drive? If not then there will be problems with the rename statement.

Sorry, I was on the phone, and somehow missed these questions. Here are the answers:

Are you receiving an error message? If so, what is the number or error description? - No error number. It just says "0" files were copied and saved whenever I run it.
Are the files all on the same drive? If not then there will be problems with the rename statement. - Yes, they are all in the same drive

Thanks,
Spi

Thanks for this detailed explanation Lewis!

Let me run this. I'll comeback to you in a bit.

You are amazingly helpful. A genius by all means

I hope this helps.

If I left anything out, or if you have any more problems or questions, please ask.

Lewis

This is fantastic Lewis. Your instructions were absolutely clear, and I was able to run the script easily today

I've been testing this throughout the day, and will continue doing so over the next 2-days. Your script is awesome. Its just my WAV files that are coming out of the server in different ways. I'm trying to find out all possible scenarios that I might encounter.

From today's testing, I have few observations. If these could be appended it would help a lot in testing and in real scenario too:

1. All renamed .WAV files should go into a single folder - Currently, a separate sub-folder is getting created for each
2. As there are multiple files with exactly the same name to this point: 732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184 (excluding the ID_16184365.wav). Would it be possible to move the files that have exactly the same name to this point (732913 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 14155952184) before running the final command to a new folder, and keep only 1 “Unique” WAV file for processing the naming?
3. I would like the original files to stay as they are in the Wav File Folder - Currently, they tend to get deleted after I run the script

Thanks for all the help!

Thanks and regards,
Spi

Dear Lewis,

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The results are phenomenal. Please accept my apologies for not supporting with examples. Please see my response below:

What should the name of the SubFolder be? – It could be today's date. –

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Would it be possible to move the files that have exactly the same name before running the final command to a new folder, and keep only 1 “Unique” WAV file for processing the naming?

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I’ve created the following folders for processing on my desktop:

1). Main folder name: “My Voice”. Sub-folders within “My Voice”

a). “WAV Files”. This has dump of all the WAV files
b). “Duplicate WAV Files”. This is the folder to which all duplicate files should be moved from the “WAV” files folder, leaving only Unique files in WAV Files folder for renaming
c). “Renamed Copy - June 6, 2014”. This is the folder that should have the copy of the renamed file

Example:

Step 1: let’s say all the file (listed below) exist in WAV Files folder
Step 2: Move all the duplicate files from “WAV Files” to “Duplicate WAV Files” leaving only unique file in the WAV Files folder
Step 3: Rename and Copy the Unique files in “Renamed Copy - June 6, 2014”. The original unique file should remain intact in the original folder(WAV Files) with the original name.

Treating files:

File: 732914 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567892 ID_16184365 – Keep it in WAV Files for renaming
File: 732914 2014-06-05 08_45_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567892 ID_16184367 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder

File: 732922 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1986312457 ID_16004368 – Keep it in WAV Files for renaming
File: 732922 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1986312457 ID_16024369 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder
File: 732922 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1986312457 ID_16014377 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder
File: 732922 2014-06-05 09_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1986312457 ID_16034379 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder

File: 732913 2014-06-05 13_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567890 ID_16184375 – Keep it in WAV Files for renaming
File: 732913 2014-06-05 13_21_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567890 ID_16184368 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder
File: 732913 2014-06-05 09_22_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567890 ID_16184375 – Keep it in WAV Files for renaming
File: 732913 2014-06-05 09_22_54 2345654321 -_ 1234567890 ID_16184375 – Duplicate, please move to Duplicate WAV Files folder

Hope I’ve explained it clearly. Really appreciate your efforts and time to help me out with this!

Best regards,
Spi

Dear Lewis,

First thing first - Thanks a billion Lewis. You are a genius by all means! I’m speechless after seeing your expertise and skills. Wish I had the same!

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Please see my response below:

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I’ll be starting the process afresh daily. A new batch of files will be added to the Master Folder daily, but before doing so I’ll be deleting the files in all sub-folders that were processed the previous day. In this case, the copy of the file won’t be there in any scenario, unless I misunderstood your questions. Please let me know if this does not make sense.

You were right on the inconsistencies, I had inadvertently copied the names incorrectly. My apologies, but dealing with 2000-5000 of these WAV files daily has got me stumped many a times, which is why I opted to seek assistance.

Thus far (today and tomorrow being an off) I’ve tested the simulated files, and few others that I dummy created. They all seem to work perfectly. However, I’m sure that once I run this on my original files I may need some bit of tweak - though I hope not!

May I please seek your permission to run the tests over the next few days (Mon – Wed), before I can confidently say “All is well”, and close this thread as "Solved". I’ll keep you posted.

All I can say is a very very “Big Thank You”. You are a superman!

Best,
Spi

Dear Lewis,

Thanks so much for this magical piece. I’m really excited with the way my tests are going. You are a genius!

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Yes, I’ll always have a back-up. My files are always downloaded in a zip, and are available in a repository as a back-up to counter any worst case scenarios

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Many many thanks. You are a gem! So glad to get connected through this forum. Would it be okay to add you as a friend?

Best,
Spi

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Dear Lewis,

You are a magician (if I may say so)! The solution is way ahead of being termed as “Awesome”. I love it!

Thanks for simplifying my life. My results have been superbly impressive thus far.

Once again “A very BIG THANK YOU”. Stay connected and Stay Blessed!

Regards,
Spi