# I need an ELI5 on removing special characters
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [November 12, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097 "2021-11-12T16:28:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Chatt\_a\_Vegas](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Chatt_a_Vegas)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097/1 "2021-11-12T16:28:55Z")
I have searched and read the "How To/Help" section but I still seem to be missing something.
I have used MP3Tag for years but I have never needed to use any custom actions. I am trying to add a function to the Rename Files Based on Tags feature.
What I do is have is it simply list TRACK & TITLE. What I need it to also do is remove illegal characters for when I move music to my Android Walkman (example, ?, \* etc).
I kept trying to use $validate and it just kept adding validate to the track name. I saw where I needed to use both validate and replace but I don't understand exactly how to set that up to run as an easy one click and go. I have no idea what I'm doing so any help is appreciated.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097/2 "2021-11-12T16:42:59Z")
Create an action of the type "Format value" for \_FILENAME
Format string: `$validate($num(%track%,2) - %title%),_)`
Try that first as I think that the asterisk is handled by $validate()
If you need further characters then try
Format string: `$replace($validate($num(%track%,2) - %title%),_),\,_)`
(and add all the dubious characters and their replacement after the last underscore, all separated by commas)
The help says the follwoing:
Remove invalid characters from file name/file paths
Command: **$validate(filename,to)**
Example: `$validate(%artist% - %album% - %track% - %title%,-)`
This example replaces all invalid characters `(/?*"<>|:)` with dashes.
BTW: the same could be achieved with Converter\>Tag-Filename - so if you feel uncomfortable with actions, use the converter.
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### Author:  [@Chatt\_a\_Vegas](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Chatt_a_Vegas)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097/3 "2021-11-12T16:58:04Z")
Thank you, I am still messing up somewhere. I am selecting "rename files based on tags" from the tool bar. But if I input that command what it creates is: "$validate(track title,-)"
Example: 02 Is That Okay? becomes $validate(02 Is That Okay?,-)
It is my understanding I need to run both validate and replace if I want to remove illegal characters and question marks.
I can get replace to work however. If I enter $replace(%TITLE%,?,) it will create: 02 Is That Okay (having removed the question mark and not leaving the word $replace in the title).
Thanks and sorry for the trouble, I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097/4 "2021-11-12T17:01:53Z")
> [@Chatt\_a\_Vegas](#):
>
> "$validate(track title,-)"
This statement has no reference to any field variable. They have to be enclosed in % like %title%.
> [@Chatt\_a\_Vegas](#):
>
> It is my understanding I need to run both validate and replace if I want to remove illegal characters and question marks
No. You see a list of "validated" (=removed or replaced characters) in the list from the help that I quoted.
Why don't you try one of my suggestions and see whether they come closer to what you want?
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### Author:  [@Chatt\_a\_Vegas](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Chatt_a_Vegas)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/i-need-an-eli5-on-removing-special-characters/55097/5 "2021-11-12T17:12:07Z")
Thank you. I think I am seeing where I am going wrong. Let me try to dig with what you have given me.