# Tag-\>Filename character substitution
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [July 14, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613 "2009-07-14T22:16:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@richpasco](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/richpasco)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613/1 "2009-07-14T22:16:15Z")
I'm using MP3tag v2.43 under Windows XP SP3.
When I convert tags to file names, if a tag contains a character unacceptable in a file name (e.g. /), that character is simply omitted. For example:
Title tag: Vienna: Kaspar's Audition/Journey To Vienna
becomes
File name: Vienna: Kaspar's AuditionJourney To Vienna.mp3
Is there a setting whereby I can specify a default character (e.g. space or underscore) to be used instead? For example:
Title tag: Vienna: Kaspar's Audition/Journey To Vienna
should become
File name: Vienna: Kaspar's Audition Journey To Vienna.mp3
or
File name: Vienna: Kaspar's Audition\_Journey To Vienna.mp3
I looked through the Help files and Tools/Options but didn't see how to set this.
```
- Rich
```
---
### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613/2 "2009-07-15T12:48:37Z")
You could use the script command $validate.
Just have a look in the helpfile 'main\_scripting.html' and the section:
> [@](#):
>
> Ungültige Zeichen aus Dateinamen und -pfaden entfernen
>
> Befehl: $validate(filename, to)
>
> Beispiel: $validate(%artist% - %album% - %track% - %title%,-)
> Dieses Beispiel ersetzt alle für Dateinamen ungültigen Zeichen (/?\*"\<\>|:slight\_smile: in der übergebenen Zeichenkette durch Bindestriche.
(Sorry, I use the german version of Mp3tag.)
And maybe this could help as well:
[/t/8205/1](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/8205/1)
---
### Author:  [@richpasco](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/richpasco)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613/3 "2009-07-15T13:13:04Z")
> [@LyricsLover](#):
>
> You could use the script command $validate.
>
> Just have a look in the helpfile 'main\_scripting.html' ...
Thank you. Yes, it works to put $validate(...,-) around each format string ... in my Tag - Filename (Alt+1) Select Format String dialog. This is most of what I wanted, and I very much appreciate your suggestion. However, I still would prefer a global default setting, without having to explicitly call function $validate in every format string.
---
### Author:  [@matt\_t](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/matt_t)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613/4 "2009-07-25T21:30:13Z")
> [@Rich Pasco](#):
>
> However, I still would prefer a global default setting, without having to explicitly call function $validate in every format string.
I would like to repeat Rich's request! I have found this to be a slight nuisance.
Edit: although before complaining I should say that the program as a whole is excellent!
---
### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/tag-filename-character-substitution/8613/5 "2026-02-09T12:21:38Z")