Noodlesoft Forums

Hi there,

I'm trying to use Hazel to rename files that are scanned by my copier, which automatically names each file MMDDYYYY-file name.pdf and I can't tell it not to include the date.

So I see how hazel can find the date in a file, and then launch the replace text, but when I get to replacing the text, I just don't see how I can do what I want. What I want is just to delete the MMDDYYYY- and leave the remaining text. Each scan is a different document, for different clients, and the date I want on the filename is not the scan date but the execution date, which at this point I'm not yet interested in automating.

when I go click on the name attribute arrow, and select replace text, I can't use the custom date token in there, I'd be happy to have it just delete the first 9 characters...

could I somehow instead parse the filename and use that as a custom token somehow? the problem is its not a set number of characters, each document is customized to the execution date, client and the name of the document.

It's my first time using hazel so be kind! thanks

Create a pattern to match the date part, then use a custom attribute to match everything afterwards. You can then use that custom attribute in the rename action.

Mr_Noodle wrote:Create a pattern to match the date part, then use a custom attribute to match everything afterwards. You can then use that custom attribute in the rename action.

Thanks I figured it out. I wasn't using the anything tag as a custom token which then allowed me to rename based in the anything custom token. Worked great!!