When a large number of file names contain the same identifier text, such as Archive_START_oldPart_END.txt, Doc_START_2024Draft_END.txt, and you only want to keep START and the content to its right, manually renaming each one is time-consuming and error-prone. This article uses HeSoft Doc Batch Tool as an example to demonstrate how to use the "Remove text from file names" feature to batch delete all content to the left of a certain text, applicable to organizing various file names such as txt, docx, doc, xlsx, pdf, images, etc.
In daily office work, data archiving, data handover, and project file organization, you often encounter file names with a specific pattern: a prefix containing source, category, temporary number, or old rule fields, a fixed identifier text in the middle, and the actual valid name you need to keep at the end. For example, file names might uniformly contain START, but the content to the left of START, like Archive_, Data_, Doc_, File_, is no longer needed. If there are only a few files, manual renaming is acceptable; but with dozens, hundreds, or even more, deleting the content to the left of specified text one by one is not only repetitive but also prone to missed deletions, incorrect deletions, or damaging file extensions.
The problem this article aims to solve is: batch deleting all content to the left of a specific text in file names, while retaining that text and everything to its right. In the example, the file name before processing is something like Doc_START_2024Draft_END.txt, and after processing, it becomes START_2024Draft_END.txt. The operation uses the office software HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , whose core value is helping users batch process files, reducing repetitive labor and improving file organization efficiency.
Applicable Scenarios: Which file names are suitable for batch deleting content to the left of specified text
"Deleting all content to the left of a specific text" is suitable for situations where a stable separator identifier exists in file names. As long as each file name contains the same text, such as START, a contract number, project number, customer abbreviation, date marker, underscore combination, etc., this text can be used as a positioning point to batch delete the unnecessary part to its left.
Common scenarios include:
- Exported file cleanup: File names exported from systems often carry module names, operator IDs, or batch numbers, like Archive_START_oldPart_END.txt, where you only want to keep the standardized name starting with START.
- Project data archiving: File names submitted by different members have inconsistent prefixes, such as names, departments, or temporary numbers, but contain a unified project identifier in the middle, requiring the removal of content to the identifier's left.
- Organizing Word, Excel, PDF files: Batch organizing names of office documents like docx, doc, xlsx, xls, pdf, so file names start from a key field for easier searching and sorting.
- Renaming images, text, and log files: For example, retaining the content after START or a collection identifier in jpg, png, txt, log files, and deleting the source prefix.
- Historical naming rule migration: Old naming rules are on the left, and new rules start from a certain text, requiring a quick unification to the new standard.
It is important to note that the key to this type of operation lies in the accuracy of the "specified text". If the text is not present in a file name, or if it appears multiple times in the same file name, you need to confirm the rule meets expectations before processing.
Effect Preview: Changes in file names before and after processing
Before processing: Inconsistent file name prefixes, but all contain START
From the pre-processing screenshot, you can see multiple txt file names with different prefixes on the left, such as Archive_, Data_, Doc_, File_, Image_, Log_, etc., but they all contain the unified text START in the middle. The current goal is not to delete START, but to delete all content to the left of START.
For example:
- Archive_START_oldPart_END.txt
- Data_START_sample_END.txt
- Doc_START_2024Draft_END.txt
- File_START_alpha_END.txt
The commonality among these names is that the length of the content to the left of START varies, making it impossible to delete by a fixed number of characters. If handled manually, you would need to select each file name, locate START, and delete the left content one by one, which is highly inefficient.
After processing: File names are uniformly retained starting from START
In the post-processing screenshot, the file names have been uniformly changed to start from START, such as START_2024Draft_END.txt, START_alpha_END.txt, START_batch001_END.txt. This shows that the software has completed the batch processing according to the rule "all content to the left of a specific text", and retained the specified text START and the content to its right.
Comparing before and after processing, you can see that the file extension .txt is still retained, and the main file name has not been mistakenly deleted. This type of batch file name processing is particularly suitable for office scenarios requiring a unified naming start and cleaning up cluttered prefixes.
Steps: Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to batch delete content to the left of START
Step 1: Enter the "File Name" category and select "Delete Text in File Names"
After opening HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , select File Name from the left tool category. In the list of file name-related functions, you can see multiple batch renaming features, such as find and replace keywords in file names, insert text into file names, add prefixes and suffixes to file names, etc. The function used in this article is the 10th one: Delete Text in File Names.
The purpose of this step is to enter the function module for "batch deleting specified content from file names". After selecting this function, the software enters a wizard-style processing interface. Subsequent steps involve adding files, setting deletion rules, setting the save location, and starting processing.
As can be seen from the screenshot, this tool is an office software for batch processing of documents and files, not a simple file manager. It breaks down common file name organization needs into multiple specific functions, suitable for users who don't want to write scripts or manually rename files one by one.
Step 2: Add the files to be processed and confirm the record list
After entering the "Delete Text in File Names" function, the top of the interface shows the processing flow: Select records to process, Set processing options, Set save location, Start processing. In Step 1, you can use the Add Files or Import Files from Folder buttons in the upper right of the interface to add files to the list for renaming.
The screenshot shows 10 txt files have been imported, and the list displays information such as sequence number, name, path, extension, creation time, and modification time. It is recommended to check three key points here:
- Is the number of files correct: The summary at the bottom shows a record count of 10, indicating 10 files will be processed.
- Do all file names contain the target text: The target text in this example is START, and all file names in the list contain START.
- Are there any files that shouldn't be processed: If a file that shouldn't be processed has been mixed into the list, it can be removed using the operation column in the interface to avoid accidental processing.
After confirming the list is correct, click Next at the bottom. The expected result of this step is: All files to be processed are now in the task list, and the software is ready to perform batch renaming based on the rules set by the user.
Step 3: Set the operation type to "All Content to the Left of a Specific Text"
After entering Step 2 "Set processing options", you need to select the specific rule for deleting text this time. The screenshot shows multiple operation types, such as all digits, all blanks, the rightmost few texts, all content between two texts, all Chinese characters, all content, all content to the left of a specific text, position range, all English letters, the leftmost few texts, all content to the right of a specific text, etc.
In this example, the goal is to delete all content to the left of START, so you should select All Content to the Left of a Specific Text. Then, fill in the text input box below with:
START
The screenshot also shows a switch for "Include this text". The result after processing in this example still retains START, like START_oldPart_END.txt, so do not let the rule delete START itself. That is, the goal of this operation is to delete the content to the left of START, not to delete START.
After completing the settings, click Next. The expected result of this step is: The software now knows to use START as a positioning point and batch delete all characters to the left of START.
Step 4: Set the save location and start processing
Step 3 of the wizard is setting the save location. As the screenshot clearly shows the "Set save location" process node, you should choose an appropriate saving method based on your file management habits during actual operation. For important files, it is recommended to test in a copy directory first, confirm the effect is correct, and then apply it to the official files, especially when dealing with large numbers of docx, doc, xlsx, pdf, or image files. Small-scale verification should be performed first.
After completing the save location setting, proceed to Step 4 "Start processing". Upon execution, the software will batch update the file names according to the previously set rules. After processing is complete, you can go to the folder to view the results and confirm that the file names are now uniformly starting from START.
FAQ and Precautions
1. Why choose "All Content to the Left of a Specific Text"?
Because the length of the file name prefixes before processing is not fixed; for example, Archive_, Doc_, Record_ have different character counts. Using "the leftmost few texts" requires a fixed number of characters to delete, which can easily lead to incomplete deletion or over-deletion. "All Content to the Left of a Specific Text" uses START as the anchor point, making it more suitable for file names with irregular left-side content but a unified middle identifier.
2. Will START be deleted as well?
From the post-processing effect, START is retained. Therefore, during setup, pay attention to the state of the "Include this text" option. This example needs to retain START, so the rule should only delete the content to the left of START, not START itself. If your goal is to keep only the content to the right of START, you need to re-evaluate whether to include the text based on the interface options.
3. Will the file extension be affected?
In this example, txt files were processed, and the extension remained .txt after processing. Generally, batch file name processing mainly acts on the name part, but it is still recommended to check the preview or test on copies of files before batch operation to avoid affecting file recognition due to improper rule settings.
4. Can Word, Excel, and PDF files be processed using this same approach?
The same approach can be used to organize file names. Whether it's docx, doc for Word documents, xlsx, xls for Excel sheets, or PDF, image, and text files, as long as the file name contains a stable specified text, you can use the "Delete Text in File Names" function to clean up the left content. The actual file name shown in the import list should be the reference during operation.
5. What if some file names do not contain START?
It is recommended to check the list after importing to confirm whether all the files to be processed contain the target text. Files that do not match the rule can be removed from the list first, or processed in batches. The most important aspect of batch renaming is rule uniformity; the clearer the rule, the more stable the processing results.
Summary: Replace repetitive renaming with batch processing to quickly unify file name rules
Batch deleting all content to the left of a specific text in file names is a high-frequency need in file organization. It is suitable for cleaning up source prefixes, old numbers, temporary fields, and inconsistent naming prefixes, allowing file names to start from a key identifier, thereby improving efficiency in subsequent searching, sorting, archiving, and sharing.
Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you only need four core steps: Enter the "Delete Text in File Names" function within "File Name", add or import files, select "All Content to the Left of a Specific Text" and enter START, and finally set the save location and start processing. Compared to manual renaming one by one, the batch processing method of the office software significantly reduces repetitive labor and also lowers the probability of human error.
If you also have a batch of file names that need to be retained starting from a certain keyword, number, or identifier text, it is recommended to first copy a small batch of files for testing, confirm the rule is correct, and then batch process the entire folder. This ensures safety while quickly completing standardized naming.