Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
I frequently create copies of files and then append the current date to the filename. It would be very helpful if FreeCommander provided a keyboard shortcut that inserts a date during the rename operation.
Ideally, the date format would be configurable in the settings (for example, YYYY-MM-DD).
Example use case:
- Original file: Report.xlsx
- Renamed to: 2026-01-05 Report.xlsx OR Report.xlsx 2026-01-05
When the shortcut is executed, the formatted date would be inserted at the current cursor position in the rename field.
Ideally, the date format would be configurable in the settings (for example, YYYY-MM-DD).
Example use case:
- Original file: Report.xlsx
- Renamed to: 2026-01-05 Report.xlsx OR Report.xlsx 2026-01-05
When the shortcut is executed, the formatted date would be inserted at the current cursor position in the rename field.
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
Are you using dialog to rename?
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
I'm using either Multi-rename (which I love) or simply press F2 when renaming a single file (I believe F2 is the default shortcut for 'Rename: Rename' operation in FC but I may have customised it)
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
... and I'm aware that date has its own wildcard in Multi-rename so I guess my feature request applies to quick renaming via F2 
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
It is possible to use a dialog for single file rename, more here:
Rename
With your request it should work like this:
After renaming the file name would look like this:
Rename dialog should have another field "Preview", which would show the name after renaming, it would be the same as Multi Rename, just for 1 file.
Workaround: Currently you can use Ctrl+M instead of F2 even for a single file rename and for Pattern File name use this:
Then just use Enter, and the name will look like this:
If you want just a date without time, new option is needed.
Another workaround is to use Multi Rename for multiple files, just use a date in format you want, specific text, like this:
This way the names will look like this:
Rename
With your request it should work like this:
Code: Select all
[d]_filenameCode: Select all
2026-01-05_filenameWorkaround: Currently you can use Ctrl+M instead of F2 even for a single file rename and for Pattern File name use this:
Code: Select all
[d] newnameCode: Select all
2026-01-05 18-24-51 newnameAnother workaround is to use Multi Rename for multiple files, just use a date in format you want, specific text, like this:
Code: Select all
2026-01-05 [n]Code: Select all
2026-01-05 filenameA
2026-01-05 filenameB
2026-01-05 filenameCRe: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
Thank you for your suggestions. I didn’t realise I could use a simple rename operation with a dialogue box. That does seem like the right solution for me, but the [d] wildcard doesn’t work. I just end up with the new filename as “[d]_filename”, so the rename function doesn’t replace [d] with the actual date. Do I need to enable wildcard handling specifically for the rename operation?
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
As I said, it could work like this with your request, but it's not working now, need to be implemented.
It works just with Multi rename, even for a single file.
It works just with Multi rename, even for a single file.
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
Ahhh OK didn't catch that!
Anyway, I think I'm getting used to using multi rename even for a single file, especially after I assigned a manual ctrl+D shorcut to it
Thanks!
Anyway, I think I'm getting used to using multi rename even for a single file, especially after I assigned a manual ctrl+D shorcut to it
Thanks!
Re: Shortcut to insert date when renaming files
@Marek - thank you for implementing this!
viewtopic.php?t=775&start=375#p44366Implemented: Rename operation - insert timestamp with Ctrl+T, insert date with Ctrl+D
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