Forum Discussion

vutran's avatar
vutran
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

Is there an automation to auto-rename existing files?

Hi, is there a way to run an automation to rename existing files that are already uploaded to a Dropbox folder?   I have an automation currently set up on a folder to rename new files to `YYYY-MM...
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vutran's avatar
vutran
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

Hi Jay , I just tried your suggestion. I moved the file(s) out of the folder with the naming convention applied and back into the folder. It did trigger something where it said the files were renamed, but it looks like the file wasn't actually renamed.

I tried a second time with a different set of files, and some files were renamed successfully, and some weren't. I double checked in Dropbox preview that the both the successful and unsuccessful sets had metadata with creation date. I'm not entirely sure what other differences there could be that would prevent some files to actually be renamed.

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago

There must be some sort of difference that is preventing the files from being detected by the automation. What are the exact settings you have for the automation, and the properties for a file which wasn't renamed?

  • vutran's avatar
    vutran
    Explorer | Level 3
    2 years ago

    Hi Jay , it looks like the issue is present for MOV (video) files.

    • Nancy's avatar
      Nancy
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      2 years ago

      Hi from me as well, vutran. Can you please disable the automation once again, and re-enable it, while making sure the “Apply to current files” box is ticked? 

       

      I’d also like a screenshot of your preferences, when setting up the automation again, so that I can check this further.

       

      Thanks!

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