5 Ways To Rename Files With Libreoffice Macro

Renaming files in bulk can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with a large number of files. LibreOffice, a popular open-source office suite, offers a powerful macro feature that can simplify this process. In this article, we will explore five ways to rename files using LibreOffice macros.

Why Use LibreOffice Macros for File Renaming?

Before we dive into the five methods, let's discuss why using LibreOffice macros for file renaming is a good idea. Macros are essentially automated scripts that can perform repetitive tasks, saving you time and effort. LibreOffice macros are particularly useful for file renaming because they can be customized to handle various file naming conventions, formats, and patterns.

Method 1: Using the FileDialog Object

The FileDialog object in LibreOffice allows you to interact with the file system, making it easy to rename files. Here's an example macro that demonstrates how to use the FileDialog object to rename files:

Sub RenameFiles()
    Dim oFileDialog As Object
    Dim oFile As Object
    Dim sNewName As String
    
    ' Create a new FileDialog object
    oFileDialog = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.ui.dialogs.FilePicker")
    
    ' Set the dialog title and filter
    oFileDialog.Title = "Select Files to Rename"
    oFileDialog.Filter = "*.txt"
    
    ' Show the dialog
    If oFileDialog.Execute() Then
        ' Get the selected file
        oFile = oFileDialog.Files(0)
        
        ' Get the file name without extension
        sNewName = Left(oFile.Name, Len(oFile.Name) - 4)
        
        ' Rename the file
        oFile.Name = sNewName & "_renamed.txt"
    End If
End Sub

Method 2: Using the Shell Object

The Shell object in LibreOffice allows you to execute system commands, including file renaming. Here's an example macro that demonstrates how to use the Shell object to rename files:

Sub RenameFiles()
    Dim oShell As Object
    Dim sCommand As String
    Dim sFile As String
    
    ' Create a new Shell object
    oShell = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.system.SystemShellExecute")
    
    ' Set the file path and new name
    sFile = "C:\path\to\file.txt"
    sNewName = "file_renamed.txt"
    
    ' Construct the rename command
    sCommand = "rename """ & sFile & """ """ & sNewName & """"
    
    ' Execute the command
    oShell.Execute(sCommand)
End Sub

Method 3: Using Regular Expressions

Regular expressions (regex) are a powerful tool for pattern matching and string manipulation. LibreOffice macros support regex, making it easy to rename files based on complex patterns. Here's an example macro that demonstrates how to use regex to rename files:

Sub RenameFiles()
    Dim oRegex As Object
    Dim sPattern As String
    Dim sReplace As String
    Dim sFile As String
    
    ' Create a new regex object
    oRegex = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.util.RegExp")
    
    ' Set the pattern and replacement
    sPattern = ".*\.(txt|docx)"
    sReplace = "_renamed.$1"
    
    ' Set the file path
    sFile = "C:\path\to\file.txt"
    
    ' Rename the file using regex
    sFile = oRegex.Replace(sFile, sPattern, sReplace)
    
    ' Get the file object
    Dim oFile As Object
    oFile = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.io.File")
    oFile.Name = sFile
End Sub

Method 4: Using the Dir and FileSystemObject

The Dir and FileSystemObject in LibreOffice allow you to interact with the file system, making it easy to rename files. Here's an example macro that demonstrates how to use the Dir and FileSystemObject to rename files:

Sub RenameFiles()
    Dim oFSO As Object
    Dim sDir As String
    Dim sFile As String
    
    ' Create a new FileSystemObject
    oFSO = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.script.provider ReadOnlyFileSystemObject")
    
    ' Set the directory path
    sDir = "C:\path\to\directory"
    
    ' Get the first file in the directory
    sFile = Dir(sDir & "\*.*")
    
    ' Loop through all files in the directory
    While sFile <> ""
        ' Get the file object
        Dim oFile As Object
        oFile = oFSO.GetFile(sDir & "\" & sFile)
        
        ' Rename the file
        oFile.Name = "file_renamed_" & Mid(sFile, InStrRev(sFile, ".") + 1)
        
        ' Get the next file
        sFile = Dir()
    Wend
End Sub

Method 5: Using the UnoScript

UnoScript is a scripting language used in LibreOffice to automate tasks. Here's an example macro that demonstrates how to use UnoScript to rename files:

Sub RenameFiles()
    Dim oScript As Object
    Dim sScript As String
    
    ' Create a new UnoScript object
    oScript = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.script.UnoScript")
    
    ' Set the script
    sScript = "file = new File('C:\path\to\file.txt'); file.renameTo('file_renamed.txt');"
    
    ' Execute the script
    oScript.Execute(sScript)
End Sub

Conclusion

In this article, we explored five ways to rename files using LibreOffice macros. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of method depends on the specific requirements of your task. By using LibreOffice macros, you can automate file renaming tasks and save time and effort.

Gallery of LibreOffice Macro File Renaming

LibreOffice Macro File Renaming Image Gallery

We hope this article has been helpful in demonstrating the power of LibreOffice macros for file renaming. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.