How to Rename Files on MacOS Big Sur using Python 3.9.5 with CSV File Lists

Discover a step-by-step guide on how to efficiently rename files on MacOS Big Sur using Python 3.9.5 and CSV lists, tackling common errors and providing solutions.
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How to Rename Files on MacOS Big Sur using Python 3.9.5 with CSV File Lists

Renaming files can often be a tedious task, especially when handling a large number of files. If you're using MacOS Big Sur 11.4, and Python 3.9.5, you might have come across a scenario where you need to rename a batch of audio files with cryptic names into something more meaningful. In this guide, we will guide you on how to accomplish this using Python, addressing common problems you might encounter along the way.

The Problem: Meaningless Names to Useful Names

Imagine having around 1500 audio files named with a mix of random letters and numbers (e.g., 4a96det8g). While these names are not usable, you have a CSV file that maps each meaningless name to a more descriptive title (e.g., "Getting There"). The challenge lies in renaming these files while ensuring that their original extensions (like .m4a or .mp4) are retained.

Your Desired Outcome

Rename each audio file to its corresponding meaningful name from a CSV file.

Preserve the original file extensions.

The Code: Initial Attempt and the Issue

You started with the following code snippet:

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

However, you ran into a TypeError stating:

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

This error indicates that there is a problem with how you are trying to access the elements of ID_List. Specifically, you are trying to use the string values as indices, which is incorrect when working with lists in Python.

The Solution: Iterating by Index

To resolve the issue, you need to iterate through the indices of the lists rather than their values. This ensures that you're correctly accessing the relevant elements in both the ID_List and Names_List. Here's the revised code that accomplishes that:

Revised Code

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

Breakdown of the Code

Iterate using range: Using range(len(ID_List)) allows you to access the index of elements in both lists.

List iteration: This method ensures that you're correctly matching items between ID_List and Names_List.

Preserve file extensions: The os.path.splitext(file)[1] part collects the file extension, which is appended to the new name during the renaming process.

Conclusion

By making these simple adjustments to your code, you will be able to efficiently rename your audio files in MacOS Big Sur 11.4 using Python 3.9.5. This solution not only solves the immediate problem you faced but also provides a structured approach to handling file renaming tasks programmatically. Embrace the power of Python to streamline your workflows, and soon you will have all your meaningful audio files neatly renamed and organized!

If you have any further questions or run into additional issues, feel free to reach out for more help!