Different Date Formats Which Can be Used to Rename and Organize Files

In today’s digital era, file handling has become quite a challenge. From external hard disks to various cloud storage accounts, our files are often scattered everywhere. As a result, it becomes hard to keep a track of files and when needed, files can often not be found where expected. To avoid this, effective file organizing is essential. 

Why Should You Organize Your Files?

For any business or company, data is an essential asset. Misplacing or losing data can not only cause panic but can also lead to huge financial losses in some cases. However, not just businesses, but individuals also need effective file organizing methods. Whether you are a student or a working professional, it is crucial for you to be able to securely save your files such that they can be easily found even years from now. 

Using PowerShell to Generate Nested Directory Structures Based on Timestamps

One way to organize your files is to create nested directory structures within your file system. To do so, we can use Windows Powershell. Open Powershell using the start menu and type in the following commands:

You can change the base directory and dates as per your requirements. 

Rename and Organize in Bulk

Using an automated tool like Easy File Renamer (EFR) can allow you to instantly rename and organize hundreds of files with a single click process. 

1. Renaming Part

To perform a batch rename using EFR, first download and install the tool from its website. Once you have the program opened,

• Go to the System Renamer tab.
• Load the files that you wish to rename into the tool using the Add Files button.
• Select one or more renaming patterns using the Select Rule menu on the left. To select a rule, click on the Add Rule button. 
• After previewing the changes and being satisfied with them, click on the Rename button to finalize the changes. 

Available Renaming Patterns:

Easy File Renamer offers various renaming patterns that you can simply select and apply to rename files in bulk. These include:

• New Name: a complete new name for all files.
• Uppercase: change all filenames to uppercase.
• Lowercase: change all filenames to lowercase.
• Title Case: capitalize the first character of every word. 
• Insert At: insert new character(s) at a specified position in the existing filenames.
• Swap: change the sequence of characters by specifying a separator character. 
• Numbering: number all files in an ascending order. 
• Suffix: add character(s) at the end of the existing filenames.
• Prefix: add character(s) at the beginning of the existing filenames.
• Trim Text: remove a certain number of characters from the beginning or end of the existing filenames. 
• Replace Text: find and replace character(s) with new specified character(s).
• Remove Text: find and remove certain character(s) from the existing filenames.

2. Organizing Part

Once you have used EFR to rename files, you can also use it to organize your files into nested directories on the basis of date formats.

1. Launch EFR and open the Organizer tab.
2. Open the folder where you want to organize files using the Add Path button.
3. Head to the Organize Files drop-down menu and select the type of files you want to organize. Easy File Renamer is compatible with a variety of file types including images, archives, videos, documents, etc.
4. Next, go to the Organize By drop-down menu and select whether you want to organize your files on the basis of the date of creation/modification, etc. 
5. Further on, go to the Date Format drop-down menu and specify the date format of your choice. The default date format is year-month-day but it can be changed too. 
6. Next, head to the Organize As menu. Here, select a folder creation pattern. For instance, year, year + month, or year + month + day. 
7. Now, in order to copy files to the newly organized folders, select the Copy files option or the Move files option. 
8. Type in the destination folder and hit the Organize button to apply the changes.