Duplicating Files & Directories

Duplicating files or folders creates an exact copy of the files (or folders) in the same folder as the original but with a different name. Typically the new name consists of the original name with a sequence number added (but you can format the new names anyway you like).

Duplicate files, complete folders and even paths

when a Folder is selected. The duplicate command will create a new folder, in the same place as the as the original, but with a new name. All of files and subfolders and in the original will be copied to the new folder.

Duplicate a directory structure

If you want to duplicate the structure of directories i.e. the path, make sure to select the Copy Folders Only option near the bottom of the dialog when duplicating. Of course you can also do this in the dedicated routine Copy Directory Structures without files.

Create multiple duplicates in one operation

from just one duplicate to 1,000s the choice is yours. Want a 200 folders base on one existing folder? No problem - it is just as easy as creating just one duplicate

Add sequential numbers

guaranteeing unique names. Sequential numbers can be added before or after the name or extension. You can even replace the extension or name with a sequential number.

Add plain text to the names

of the duplicated files if you want. Text can be added before or after the name or extension.

Details of the Create Duplicate Files dialog

Pattern for new names

The pattern will be included in the names of the duplicated files, inserted at the position indicated by the Insert Where selection below.

If a question mark (?) is included it will be replaced with an incremental number ensuring a unique name.

FileBoss does not require that the ? be included (though you will get a warning if it is not) but it is usually best to have one to ensure unique names.  

Specifying where the pattern will be inserted in the names

Mutually exclusive options that determine where the pattern for the new name will be inserted in the old name. Select one and then look at the sample near the bottom of the dialog to check if this is the way you want the duplicated files named.

Adding Sequential numbers to filenames

How to Setup Sequential numbering

1. Insert the \? meta flag in the New Name field where you want the sequential number to appear. Use the \? meta flag only once.

2. Set the number of digits you want displayed. E.g. setting it to 3 will insert 001, 002, 003, etc. where the \? meta flag is.  

3. Set the Start A: number. While this will normally be '1' you might want to set it to another number if some files have already been renamed with this routine.

4. Check the Sample at the bottom of the screen to see how the sequential numbers will fit into the name along with any other formats you have chosen.

Num. of Digits

1 to 6, pads the number with leading zeros to get the desired number of digits. This is a good option so that the files will be sorted correctly when displayed in FileBoss Windows Explorer and various programs' File Open Dialogs.

Start At

1 on up to highest number allowed by the number of digits you have specified.

Examples

• Long Beach #\?.jpeg (Digits set to 3 and Start At set to 1)

• Long Beach #001.jpeg, Long Beach #002.jpeg, Long Beach #003.jpeg

• \? Long Beach.jpeg (Digits set to 2 and Start At set to 10)

• 10 Long Beach.jpeg, 11 Long Beach.jpeg, 12 Long Beach.jpeg

Duplicating only the folders not their contents

Sample Filename

Displays a sample name with the settings you have chosen.

Every time you change a setting the sample will change.