# Convert Filename with YYYY-MM-DD to DD-MMM-YYYY **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [May 23, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915 "2015-05-23T06:27:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/53a042/32.png) [@waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/waterfall)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/1 "2015-05-23T06:27:48Z")
Hi all, I regularly download podcasts and for filing purposes (to keep them all in order - sorted by name) always name the files with the following format: YYYY-MM-DD-[Episode name/title or number goes here] For example: - 2015-03-23-302 - 2015-03-30-304 - 2015-05-13-Technology Road Show They will always be in this format and after the DD part of the filename is a dash which will always be followed by either an episode title or episode series number. What I'd like to do is convert "filename" from YYYY-MM-DD-[Episode Title] to the following mp3tag "title" field: DD-MMM-YYYY: [Episode name/title or number goes here] So, taking the some examples from the list above: - Original File = 2015-03-23-302 , Convert to 23-Mar-2015-302 - Original File = 2015-03-30-304 , Convert to 30-Mar-2015-304 - 2015-05-13-Technology Road Show , Convert to 13-May-2015-Technology Road Show MMM I want to short month form, for example if it's month "03", show "Mar" for March. The dash (-) in the last part of the filename is to be replaced by a colon ( : ) Help warmly welcomed and especially appreciated - thank you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 7:19am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/2 "2015-05-23T07:19:28Z")
> [@waterfall](#): > > ... The dash (-) in the last part of the filename is to be replaced by a colon ( : ) ... This is not possible because the colon is not allowed within a filename, ... but if you want to write the colon into a tag-field, that's ok. > [@waterfall](#): > > ... I regularly ... name the files with the following format: YYYY-MM-DD-[Episode name/title or number goes here] ... What I'd like to do is convert "filename" from YYYY-MM-DD-[Episode Title] to the following mp3tag "title" field: DD-MMM-YYYY: [Episode name/title or number goes here] > So, taking the some examples from the list above: > > - Original File = 2015-03-23-302 , Convert to 23-Mar-2015-302 > - Original File = 2015-03-30-304 , Convert to 30-Mar-2015-304 > - 2015-05-13-Technology Road Show , Convert to 13-May-2015-Technology Road Show > MMM I want to short month form, for example if it's month "03", show "Mar" for March. ... In Mp3tag there are different ways to reach the goal, here is one ... **Action: Format Value Field: TITLE Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)(.\*)$','$3')'-'$regexp('01Jan02Feb03Mar04Apr05May06Jun07Jul08Aug09Sep10Oct11Nov12Dec','^.\*'$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)(.\*)$','$2')'(\w\w\w).\*$','$1')'-'$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.\*)$','$1:$4') From: 2015-03-23-302 To : 23-Mar-2015:302** Here is another example ... Begin Action Group **Test2015#20150523.waterfall** Action #1 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN1** _Formatstring:_ **$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$1')** Action #2 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN2** _Formatstring:_ **$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$2')** Action #3 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN3** _Formatstring:_ **$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$3')** Action #4 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN4** _Formatstring:_ **$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$4')** Action #5 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN2** _Formatstring:_ **$replace(%TMP\_FN2%,'01','Jan','02','Feb','03','Mar','04','Apr','05','May', '06','Jun','07','Jul','08','Aug','09','Sep','10','Oct','11','Nov','12','Dec')** Action #6 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TITLE** _Formatstring:_ **%TMP\_FN3%'-'%TMP\_FN2%'-'%TMP\_FN1%':'%TMP\_FN4%** Action #7 _Actiontype 9:_ **Remove fields** _Fields to remove (semicolon separated):_ **TMP\_FN1;TMP\_FN2;TMP\_FN3;TMP\_FN4** End Action Group **Test2015#20150523.waterfall** (7 Actions) Here is another example ... Begin Action Group **Test2015#20150523.waterfall.2** Action #1 _Actiontype 7:_ **Import tag fields (guess values)** _Source format \_\_:_ **%\_FILENAME%** _Guessing pattern:_ **%TMP\_FN1%-%TMP\_FN2%-%TMP\_FN3%-%TMP\_FN4%** Action #2 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TMP\_FN2** _Formatstring:_ **$replace(%TMP\_FN2%,'01','Jan','02','Feb','03','Mar','04','Apr','05','May', '06','Jun','07','Jul','08','Aug','09','Sep','10','Oct','11','Nov','12','Dec')** Action #3 _Actiontype 5:_ **Format value** _Field \_\_\_\_\_\_:_ **TITLE** _Formatstring:_ **%TMP\_FN3%'-'%TMP\_FN2%'-'%TMP\_FN1%':'%TMP\_FN4%** Action #4 _Actiontype 9:_ **Remove fields** _Fields to remove (semicolon separated):_ **TMP\_FN1;TMP\_FN2;TMP\_FN3;TMP\_FN4** End Action Group **Test2015#20150523.waterfall.2** (4 Actions) DD.20150523.1217.CEST With reference to post #3 ... the target field has been changed to TITLE ... and the last separator character has been changed from hyphen minus '-' to colon ':'. DD.20150523.1801.CEST ---
**Author:** ![waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/53a042/32.png) [@waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/waterfall)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/3 "2015-05-23T13:35:39Z")
DetlevD, firstly thanks so much for taking the time to reply and also for the fantasticly and expertly provided info! Where you mention the colon ( : ), I'm talking about this character being withing the "title" field of the tag. In fact, I want all this to take place in the tag itself and leave the filename in tact; the filename is just used as the source to generate the value of the tag "title" field. I've tried your first suggestion and it works _almost_ perfectly, it does the job but I want that dash ( - ) replaced to a colon, and, all of the conversion to take place in the tag itself? Much gratitude 🙂 * * * Edit: If I change the "Field: \_FILENAME" in your code firstly provided to "title" it works exactly as I want it to! Just need to replace the dash in that part to a colon if at all possible? ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/4 "2015-05-23T13:53:09Z")
> [@waterfall](#): > > ... Just need to replace the dash in that part to a colon if at all possible? Changes are made, see post #2. DD.20150523.1753.CEST ---
**Author:** ![waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/53a042/32.png) [@waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/waterfall)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/5 "2015-05-23T14:03:03Z")
> [@DetlevD](#): > > Changes are made, see post #2. > > DD.20150523.1753.CEST Edit: I do apologise, I've got the intended string the wrong way around, how to modify the code to the following format: [Episode Title]: [Date] e.g. 301: 07-Apr-2015 ?? I'm trying to figure using the code but not having no joy - and apologies again, I've just realised my oversight after testing on more files :s Original Response: Absolutely beautiful, perfect - thanks so much! A v.speedy reply and also perfectly understood and solution offered 100% sublime. Can I donate PayPal to you to buy a beer or coffee? * * * Summary - your solution is spot and bang on, perfect. I apologise again, I get the intended output the wrong way around. ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/6 "2015-05-23T14:18:37Z")
> [@waterfall](#): > > Absolutely beautiful, perfect - thanks so much! A v.speedy reply and also perfectly understood and solution offered 100% sublime. Can I donate PayPal to you to buy a beer or coffee? Ho, waterfall, thank you very much! Too bad for me, I have no online account to collect gifts, but I should probably set up one. For now I will take your words as reality. But you are also free to send my earning to Florian's depot. DD.20150523.1818.CEST ---
**Author:** ![waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/53a042/32.png) [@waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/waterfall)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/7 "2015-05-23T14:28:06Z")
Will do, of course - and with pleasure! Did you see request to switch around the output format please? ---
**Author:** ![DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/detlevd/32/123_2.png) [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/8 "2015-05-23T14:35:25Z")
> [@waterfall](#): > > Edit: I do apologise, I've got the intended string the wrong way around, how to modify the code to the following format: [Episode Title]: [Date] e.g. 301: 07-Apr-2015 ?? ... **Action: Format Value Field: TITLE Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$4: $3')'-'$regexp('01Jan02Feb03Mar04Apr05May06Jun07Jul08Aug09Sep10Oct11Nov12Dec','^.\*'$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)(.\*)$','$2')'(\w\w\w).\*$','$1')'-'$regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$1') From: 2015-03-23-302 To : 302: 23-Mar-2015 ... or ... Begin Action Group Test2015#20150523.waterfall.3 Action #1 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN1 Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$1') Action #2 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN2 Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$2') Action #3 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN3 Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$3') Action #4 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN4 Formatstring: $regexp(%\_filename%,'^(\d\d\d\d)-(\d\d)-(\d\d)-(.+?)$','$4') Action #5 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN2 Formatstring: $replace(%TMP\_FN2%,'01','Jan','02','Feb','03','Mar','04','Apr','05','May', '06','Jun','07','Jul','08','Aug','09','Sep','10','Oct','11','Nov','12','Dec') Action #6 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TITLE Formatstring: %TMP\_FN4%': '%TMP\_FN3%'-'%TMP\_FN2%'-'%TMP\_FN1% Action #7 Actiontype 9: Remove fields Fields to remove (semicolon separated): TMP\_FN1;TMP\_FN2;TMP\_FN3;TMP\_FN4 End Action Group Test2015#20150523.waterfall.3 (7 Actions) ... or ... Begin Action Group Test2015#20150523.waterfall.4 Action #1 Actiontype 7: Import tag fields (guess values) Source format \_\_: %\_FILENAME% Guessing pattern: %TMP\_FN1%-%TMP\_FN2%-%TMP\_FN3%-%TMP\_FN4% Action #2 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TMP\_FN2 Formatstring: $replace(%TMP\_FN2%,'01','Jan','02','Feb','03','Mar','04','Apr','05','May', '06','Jun','07','Jul','08','Aug','09','Sep','10','Oct','11','Nov','12','Dec') Action #3 Actiontype 5: Format value Field \_\_\_\_\_\_: TITLE Formatstring: %TMP\_FN4%': '%TMP\_FN3%'-'%TMP\_FN2%'-'%TMP\_FN1% Action #4 Actiontype 9: Remove fields Fields to remove (semicolon separated): TMP\_FN1;TMP\_FN2;TMP\_FN3;TMP\_FN4 End Action Group Test2015#20150523.waterfall.4 (4 Actions)** DD.20150523.1837.CEST ---
**Author:** ![waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/53a042/32.png) [@waterfall](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/waterfall)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/9 "2015-05-23T14:52:52Z")
Fine british beer or coffee donated to Florian depot. Again, much obliged and flawless work - thank you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/c/ce7035d426cb755a7916793326d23b465222a407.png) [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-filename-with-yyyy-mm-dd-to-dd-mmm-yyyy/16915/10 "2026-02-09T12:25:41Z")
Closed on February 9, 2026, 12:25pm UTC