How to Rename Image Files Using a .txt Index in Python

Learn how to effectively change the names of image files in a directory using indices from a `.txt` file with a simple Python script.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/75669055/ asked by the user 'Khawar Islam' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/4420797/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/75669139/ provided by the user 'Mark Tolonen' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/235698/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Transform Your Image Files: Renaming with a .txt Index in Python

Are you tired of having a folder filled with countless images bearing unidentifiable names like "001.mp4," "002.mp4," and so on? If you have a .txt file filled with meaningful names that you want to assign to your image files, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll tackle a simple yet powerful Python script that can help you achieve just that!

The Challenge

You have a directory containing a series of images (or videos) and a separate .txt file with new names that correspond to those files. For instance:

Inside the Text File (input.txt):

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Inside Your Folder:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Your goal here is to rename the images according to the titles specified in the .txt file. Let’s delve into a solution that uses Python, given its powerful file handling capabilities.

A Simple Solution

Instead of using a more complex script with unnecessary imports, we can utilize the pathlib module which is both straightforward and effective for this kind of task.

Step-by-Step Implementation

Set Up Your Environment: Make sure you have a Python environment where you can execute scripts. You should have the pathlib module, which is available in Python’s standard library.

Prepare Your Text File: Ensure that your input.txt file is correctly formatted and located in your working directory.

The Python Script:
Here’s a clean and simple script to rename your files based on the new names specified in your .txt file:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Breakdown of the Code:

Import Path from pathlib: This simplifies file path manipulations.

Open the input.txt File: This is where your new names are stored.

Enumerate Lines with Indices: This gives each line a corresponding index, which helps us match the original filenames.

Generate Filenames: Create the original filename using f'{i:03d}.mp4', ensuring formatting like "001", "002", and so forth.

Rename Files: Using p.with_stem(line.strip()) effectively changes the base filename to the new name from the .txt file.

Conclusion

Renaming files based on external specifications can seem daunting, but with Python, it's a straightforward process. By using the script provided, you can quickly and efficiently rename your image files to something meaningful. Say goodbye to cryptic filenames forever!

If you found this guide helpful or have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! Happy coding!