Copy specific files from folder structure based on filenames

[arvids]

Hi All,

This is my first post, and I apologise beforehand if this has been already discussed in the past, but I could not find any information using search function.

Here's what I'm fighting with:

I have around 3000 files (with the same file format/extension) randomly located in a complex folder/sub-folder structure. Using this folder structure I need to create several file batches containing only specific files and retaining the folder structure.

Now, I'm aware there is an option to copy only specific files based on the file extension, but, as mentioned above, the file extension for all 3000 files is the same, and all I have is a list of filenames to be included in each target batch. F5 option "Only files of this type" does not allow enter a list of filenames to copy.

Copying folders only is not an option either as in most cases only few files from a folder need to be copied. So, the question is - is there a way to copy certain files from a folder structure using a list of filenames as a specifier/-s?

I hope I explained this well. I would appreciate any help as at the moment this is a manual process, and, as you might guess, is very tedious and slow.

Thank you in advance,
arvids

[MVV]

Do you need to keep folder structure or it is allowed to put all files into single folder? You may use branch view in upper folder of your structure (Ctrl+B) or just search and feed to listbox (just find all files in upper folder, it doesn't matter here), then load selection from a file or clipboard and copy selected files to target folder. If you need to keep folder structure, you need to use something like TreeCopyPlus (or just pack files into an archive and unpack them).

[solid]

Just list the filenames in the "Only files of this type" fields.
ex. *movie*.* *sound*.* *.doc*.*
This way only files containing movie or sound or doc will be copied, keeping the folder structure (empty folders too)
You can also predefine this list in the FindFiles dialog, and then just select it in the copy dialog.

[MVV]

solid,

F5 option "Only files of this type" does not allow enter a list of filenames to copy.

[arvids]

Do you need to keep folder structure or it is allowed to put all files into single folder?

Yes, I need to keep the folder structure, single folder is not an option in this case.

If you need to keep folder structure, you need to use something like TreeCopyPlus (or just pack files into an archive and unpack them)

Thanks for the hint, I will look into this.

Just list the filenames in the "Only files of this type" fields.
ex. *movie*.* *sound*.* *.doc*.*
This way only files containing movie or sound or doc will be copied, keeping the folder structure (empty folders too)

Thanks, this seems to be working, however - I would need to list up to 500 filenames this way as there are no file naming conventions applied - all i have is list of filenames in an XLS spreadsheet. I will mess around with it for a while, maybe I can find a way to get this working.

Thanks again,
a.

[arvids]

A brief update - the workaround I found is as follows:

1. Merge all filenames from xls list into one cell/line.
2. Copy the contents into notepad and add "*.* " between filenames by using search and replace.
3. Copy the filenames with "*.* " into TC's F5 > "Only files of this type" box and hit OK.

This does the trick. What seemed to be impossible in the morning is now fixed.

Thank you MVV and solid, and Happy 2012 to you all!

a.

[solid]

solid,

F5 option "Only files of this type" does not allow enter a list of filenames to copy.

It doesn't allow a list, but it does allow a line

[petermad]

2arvids
A comfortable way to save your long line of file names for easy use later, is to do the following:

1. Press Alt+F7 to open the "Find files" dialog.
2. Paste your long line of filenames into the "Search for:" field.
3. Click the "Load/Save" tab.
4. Click the "Save" button
5. Enter a name - for example Myfiles and press OK.
6. Close the Find files dialog.

Next time you have to do this particular copying, then in the "Only files of this type" field just select >Myfiles - much easier than having to copy and paste the line from a text file each time.

In stead of Alt+F7 you can also press Ctrl+F12, Num+ or Num- - followed by a click on the "Define" button - many ways to Rome.

[arvids]

petermad, thank you. However, would this option keep the folder structure? All I get is a list of files when using ALT+F7. Will give it a try later today to see if this works.

Thanks again.

[petermad]

It will do exactly the same during copying as the long line of filenames you used before - it is just a convenient way to store and retrieve the line.

You are not supposed to do an actual search, that is why you can also do this by Ctrl+F12, Num+ or Num- - followed by a click on the "Define" button.

[arvids]

Brilliant, this works.

The only problem at this point is the allowed character number limit in the search field (seems to be 2046 including spaces), but my list of filenames is way much longer than that. I guess there is no way to find a workaround for that, is there?

A side note - I also just found a brilliant option called "Compare directories" (ALT+F2). Now, this is all I need to get the work done!