This article focuses on the need to batch delete lines containing specified keywords across multiple .txt files, making it suitable for office users who need to clean appendix directories, fixed instructions, log records, or exported data. With HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can use a text tool to find and replace entire lines in text files based on keywords. Import multiple files, set keywords such as Annex A and Annex B, and leave the replacement content empty to delete all matching lines in one go, significantly reducing repetitive editing work.
When you face a batch of text files, the most troublesome part is often not that a particular piece of content is difficult to handle, but that the same operation needs to be repeated many times. For example, each txt file has a few lines of unnecessary appendix notes at the beginning. Each file needs to be opened once, deleted once, and saved once. When there are only a few files, it's manageable. When there are many, repetitive work consumes a lot of time and is prone to omissions.
This article will demonstrate how to batch delete lines containing specified keywords in text files. The example multiple txt files all contain lines like Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, Annex D. We will use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to delete these entire lines containing keywords at once. This process does not require manual editing file by file but sets unified rules through the office software to handle it in batch.
Applicable Scenario: Office tasks requiring deletion of "lines containing keywords"
Deleting a line containing a keyword is different from a standard find-and-replace. Standard replacement usually only handles a specific word or phrase, while deleting the line removes the entire line containing that keyword. For many office documents, this method is more practical. For example, appendix indexes in text files, fixed headers and footers, prompt lines generated by export systems, specified status records in logs, and residual directory entries after batch conversion can all be located and deleted entirely by line using keywords.
The example in this article uses txt files, but the approach is applicable to typical plain text cleanup scenarios. As long as the file content is organized by lines and the target line can be identified by a specific keyword, this method can be used. Compared to manual deletion, the advantages of batch processing are mainly reflected in three aspects: first, it processes multiple files at once, reducing repetitive opening and saving; second, the rules are unified, minimizing discrepancies from manual judgment; third, it's easy to reuse—for similar files, you only need to adjust the keywords next time.
HeSoft Doc Batch Tool as office software, focuses on helping users process files in batches. For users who frequently need to organize texts, clean data, and standardize file content, this type of function can compress a large volume of mechanical operations into just a few steps.
Before Processing: Many files, each with similar content to be deleted
In the folder before processing, you can see multiple text files: 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt, 4.txt, 5.txt. Although these file names are simple, in actual business they might correspond to different batches, chapters, or data sources. As long as they all contain similar useless lines, they are suitable for centralized processing.
Opening 1.txt, you can see an Annexes title at the top of the file, with four lines listed below: Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, Annex D. The red box and arrow indicate the area to be deleted. The common feature of these lines is that they all contain clear keywords, and each line can be deleted as an independent piece of content.
If processed manually, the user would need to locate these lines one by one and then delete them. More troublesome is that the explanatory text following these lines might not be completely identical across different files. Using the feature to delete lines containing keywords eliminates the need to input the whole line of text; you only need to input a keyword that can locate the line.
After Processing: Lines containing specified keywords have been cleaned
After processing is complete, the original Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, and Annex D lines have disappeared from the output file. In the screenshot, these appendix entries are no longer displayed after Annexes, while Contents and subsequent numbered content remain, indicating that the deletion scope was controlled within the lines hitting the keywords.
This processing effect is especially suitable for batch cleanup: target lines are cleanly removed, and non-target content is unaffected. For text documents that need further reading, editing, or archiving, the processed files are cleaner and better meet the requirements for subsequent use.
Steps: Deleting specified keyword lines from multiple txt files at once
Step 1: Open the Text Tools feature list
After launching HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , navigate to "Text Tools" in the left sidebar. In the tools list, find "Find and replace complete lines in text files based on keywords." In the screenshot, this feature is the 2nd item in the Text Tools list, and the description indicates it can batch delete or replace entire lines in text files that contain a specific keyword.
The core of this step is to choose the correct processing entry point. Since we want to delete "entire lines," we should use the complete line find-and-replace function, not one that only replaces the keyword itself. Only by selecting the right function will subsequent settings produce the expected results.
Step 2: Add or import the text files to be processed
After entering the function page, the first step is to select the records to be processed. The upper right part of the page provides entries like "Add File" and "Import Files from Folder." In the example, 1.txt to 5.txt from the D:\test\ directory have been added to the list, all with the txt extension, and the bottom of the page shows a record count of 5.
After importing files, you should check the names and paths in the list to ensure all files needing processing have been added. If there are files that do not need processing, they can be removed from the operation column. This verification step is very important because subsequent rules will apply to all files in the list.
Step 3: Set up keyword find rules
Click "Next" to enter the processing options page. In the "Find Method" area, the screenshot shows "Exact Text Search" is selected. For clear strings like Annex A, an exact search avoids rules that are too vague. On the lower left side of the page is the "Keyword List to Search," where you enter the keywords to match, line by line.
The example has 4 keywords entered: Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, Annex D. Each keyword is on its own line, making it easy for the software to identify them one by one. The right side is the "Replacement Keyword List," with a prompt saying "Leave blank to delete." Since the goal of this task is to delete lines containing the specified keywords, the right side can remain empty.
The expected result of this step is that the software knows which keywords to look for and knows that upon finding them, it should not replace them with new text, but delete the corresponding entire line. After completing the settings, click "Next" to continue.
Step 4: Confirm the save location and start processing
According to the workflow at the top of the page, after setting keywords, you will proceed to "Set Save Location," followed by "Start Processing." It is recommended to select a separate output directory for the save location to store the processed files. This helps distinguish them from the original txt files and makes it easier to check the results.
After entering "Start Processing," follow the instructions on the page. The software will process 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt, 4.txt, and 5.txt in the file list in sequence, find lines containing Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, and Annex D, and delete them. Once complete, you can open one of the output files to verify that the target lines have been cleaned.
Common Questions and Considerations
1. Why not just search for "Annex"?
If you only search for "Annex," all lines containing "Annex" might be deleted, including titles or other explanations you might want to keep. The example chose Annex A, Annex B, Annex C, Annex D to more precisely delete the target appendix entries. When setting keywords, try to make the match scope cover the target lines without accidentally harming other content.
2. Can multiple files with slightly different content still be processed?
Yes. As long as the target lines contain the same keyword, they can be identified. Even if the explanatory text after Annex A differs slightly across files, as long as that line contains Annex A, it can be processed according to the rule. This is also an advantage of deleting entire lines by keyword.
3. Will lines that do not contain the keyword be affected?
Under normal circumstances, lines that do not contain the keyword will not be processed. As seen in the post-processing screenshot, Contents and subsequent directory content still exist. To be safe, it is recommended to test with a small number of sample files during the first run.
4. How to avoid accidentally deleting important content?
First, do not set the keywords too broadly. Second, keep the original files or choose a new save location before processing. Third, perform spot checks on the output files after processing. Batch processing is highly efficient, but the more accurate the rule settings, the more reliable the results.
Summary: Relegating the repetitive cleanup of multiple txt files to a batch processing tool
Batch deleting lines containing specified keywords in text files is a very typical office automation need. Through HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can first import multiple txt files, then set the keywords to search for, and use the rule "Leave blank to delete" to remove the entire lines that match. The entire process is clear and auditable, suitable for handling appendix directories, log records, fixed notes, and exported text data.
If you are dealing with a batch of text files containing identical useless lines, it is not recommended to continue opening and manually deleting them one by one. You can first collate the common keywords of the target lines, conduct a small-scale test following the steps in this article, confirm the results, and then batch process all files. This saves time and reduces errors caused by repetitive labor.