Replacing text inside multiple files?

Advanced Renamer forum
#1 : 29/11-24 23:10
Stephanie
Posts: 1
Is it possible or has anyone successfully replaced multiple words INSIDE multiple files?

Use Case: I have many SRT files with text stating where I got them from. I want to remove that text from all my SRT files,, EXAMPLE: "Downloaded from X site" and I want to remove this text from all the SRT file. And it isn't practical to do them one by one, manually.

Since I could NOT live without Advanced Renamer (ya'll are a GOD SEND) I'm wondering if anyone has tried this?
If not, I'd like to suggest this as an enhancement. I love ya'll and your app is awesome! Thank you for all you do for us.

Steph
#2 : 30/11-24 00:52
Delta Foxtrot
Posts: 357
Reply to #1:

Hi Stephanie, welcome,

ARen is a file/folder renamer, and does that particular task *really* well, as you know. As such it's not the tool you need for your job.

There are several tools available that will do what you want, for instance a good program editor. I use an expensive one, but I assume something like Notepad++, or SCITE, or some other open-source editor would do the same. Miguel or Styb might have some suggestions for you.

Some grep-style progarms that search within files can also do replacements. I use PowerGREP, but again, it's expensive and probably overkill. I'd try to find a program editor that can search/replace regular expressions across a group of files first.

BTW, you sound (in my head) like you might be from my neck of the prairie. And you spelled yawl wrong. Just kidding, of course. I think the Oxford dictionary accepts ya'll too. :)

EDIT: I just looked at Notepad++ documentation, and it does search/replace across multiple files, so there's one option for you.

Best,
DF

edited: 30/11-24 01:00
#3 : 30/11-24 07:45
Styb
Posts: 122
Reply to #1:
Hi Stephanie,
As DF said, ARen is not the app you are looking for. To do your job, you can try using Notepad++ or a dedicated program like Ecobyte Replace Text. I just found a little guide for these two apps: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-find-and-re place-words-in-multiple-files/

You can find the two freeware applications here:

Notepad++: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/

Ecobyte Replace Text: https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/File-Manage ment/BK-ReplaceEm.shtml
#4 : 30/11-24 16:40
Delta Foxtrot
Posts: 357
Reply to #3:

Be careful with Ecobyte Replace Text, that review said that it can corrupt files with an extension other than ".TXT" (even if they are plain text internally).

Also development ended in 2014, so...



#5 : 30/11-24 19:56
Miguel
Posts: 159
Reply to #1:
Hi Stephanie,
As Styb and DF have advised you, Notepad++ is your tool.

Use the Ctrl+F to open "Find and Replace" and select tab "Find in files".

Miguel
#6 : 01/12-24 09:43
Styb
Posts: 122
Reply to #4:
No worries, the program automatically backs up the original files, so just leave that option as it is and you'll be good to go.