A major issue with organizing and reviewing a large number of video files is that their content is not visible and reviewing them incurs high costs. This article uses the example of batch-generating 3x3 grid JPG preview images for MP4 files to introduce how to complete the operation using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool . The article covers applicable scenarios, before-and-after processing comparisons, function entry points, file import, 3×3 grid parameter settings, saving and processing recommendations, and explains common precautions. With this method, users can quickly generate screenshot preview images for multiple videos, improving the efficiency of material retrieval, archiving, and delivery checks.
Unlike office files such as Word, Excel, and PDF, the content of a video file is often hard to guess from its filename alone. Especially when there are many MP4 files, a folder might only show a row of similar names and size information. To figure out which video is a landscape, which is a city aerial shot, or which is a product showcase, you constantly have to open them in a video player. This method is slow and not conducive to batch archiving.
To solve this problem, you can generate screenshot previews for videos in batches. A common format is the 9-grid JPG: multiple frames are extracted from a single video and stitched into one image in a 3-row by 3-column layout. This allows you to visually identify the video's content directly in the file manager. Below, with screenshots, we will introduce how to use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to complete the operation of "batch generating 9-grid preview images for many MP4 videos."
Use Cases: Why Video Screenshot Previews Are Needed in Office Work
Video files are becoming increasingly common in enterprise office work and content production. The marketing department saves promotional clips and short video materials, the training department saves course recordings, the project team saves on-site records, and designers or editors manage a large volume of raw footage. As the number of files grows, identifying video content can become a significant efficiency bottleneck.
Without preview images, checking video content usually involves multiple steps: opening the file, waiting for the player to load, dragging the progress bar, observing the picture, closing the window, and so on. Each file might seem to take only a few dozen seconds, but batch processing creates a lot of repetitive labor. A 9-grid preview image can frontload these operations into a single batch generation, after which you only need to browse the images.
As an office software, the core advantage of HeSoft Doc Batch Tool is its batch file processing capability. It doesn't require users to complete every step manually; instead, it integrates repetitive file operations into streamlined tasks. For the need described in this article, users simply import videos, set the grid count, choose a save location, and output the preview images in batches.
Effect Preview: How the Folder Changes Before and After Processing
Before processing, the folder contains a batch of MP4 video files. The screenshot shows these videos are presented in a list, including Video test 2.mp4, Video test 4.mp4, Video test 5.mp4, Video test 11.mp4, Video test 12.mp4, etc. Although you can see the file size and date, you cannot see the video frames, making it impossible to quickly judge the content.
After processing, corresponding JPG preview images appear in the folder. Each image is composed of multiple stitched frames, featuring both horizontal 9-grids and vertical video 9-grids. The filenames maintain a correspondence, for example, the original video Video test 13.mp4 generates Video test 13.jpg. This way, users can quickly browse the general imagery of all videos in thumbnail view.
Operation Steps: The Complete Workflow for Batch Outputting 9-Grid JPGs from MP4 Files
Step 1: Open the Video Tools Category
First, open HeSoft Doc Batch Tool . The left navigation bar has several tool categories, such as Word Tools, Excel Tools, PowerPoint Tools, PDF Tools, Image Tools, Video Tools, Audio Tools, etc. Since the processing target this time is MP4 video, you need to enter "Video Tools."
On the Video Tools page, you can see multiple batch functions related to video. The red annotation in the screenshot points to "Generate video preview image," and its description is "Batch generate grid preview images for video files." This indicates it is precisely the entry for batch converting videos into grid preview images.
After selecting this function, the software enters the task wizard. The step indicator at the top shows the entire process: Select records to process, Set processing options, Set save location, Start processing. Operating step-by-step helps avoid missing parameters and makes it convenient for users to check the file list before formal execution.
Step 2: Add Video Files to the Pending List
In Step 1, "Select records to process," you need to add the MP4 videos to the list. The upper right area of the interface provides "Add File" and "Import Files from Folder." If the videos are already organized in a directory, it is recommended to choose "Import Files from Folder"; if you only need to process several scattered files, you can click "Add File" to select them one by one.
In the screenshot, 9 video files have been imported, and the table lists the sequence number, name, path, extension, creation time, and modification time. This list is well-suited for pre-processing verification: the Name column confirms the file, the Path column confirms the source directory, and the Extension column confirms the file type. The summary at the bottom shows a record count of 9, indicating that the current task will batch process 9 videos.
In batch processing, checking after import is very important. Because once processing starts, the software will output results based on the entire list. If an unwanted video is mistakenly imported, it can be removed via the operation column; if the overall list is incorrect, you can use "Clear" and re-import. Confirm the pending records are correct, then click "Next."
Step 3: Set the 9-Grid Output Parameters
After entering "Set processing options," you need to configure the layout for generating the preview image. The interface displays two required fields: "Number of vertical images" and "Number of horizontal images," both set to 3 in the example. The combination of 3 vertical and 3 horizontal creates a 3x3 9-grid, meaning each video corresponds to 9 screenshot frames.
This setup suits most video preview needs. A single screenshot only displays a specific point in time and might easily miss key content in the middle or end of a video; a 9-grid provides more frame information, helping users assess the overall content. For landscape videos, the 9-grid presents a stitched effect of horizontal frames; for vertical videos, it also generates a corresponding preview image based on the video's aspect ratio.
The interface also provides a "Small image size percentage in cell" slider. This controls the display size of the small image within the grid unit. In actual use, you can generate a batch of results with the current settings first. If you find the thumbnails too small or feel there is too much white space, you can adjust according to your needs. For office scenarios aiming for quick content identification, maintaining clear readability is most important.
Step 4: Set the Save Location and Execute the Task
After configuring the parameters, click "Next" to enter "Set save location." The choice of save location affects subsequent management methods. If you want the preview images and videos to be kept together, you can output them to the video's directory; if you want to submit or view the preview images separately, you can create a new preview image directory. Regardless of the method, it is recommended to keep the naming and directory structure clear for easier searching later.
Finally, enter the "Start processing" step to execute the batch generation. After processing is complete, open the save directory to see the JPG files. According to the effect images after processing, the output images correspond by name to the original videos, and each image presents grid frames. This indicates that the software has batch-generated video screenshot previews for multiple MP4 files.
Common Questions and Notes
1. Does generating a 9-grid modify the original video?
From the processing results, this workflow generates additional JPG preview images for the videos, and the original MP4 files are still retained. The purpose of generating preview images is to assist browsing and management, not to overwrite or replace the original video. To be safe, it is recommended to keep a backup of the original folder for important materials.
2. How to avoid missing files when there are many?
It is recommended to first confirm the number of videos to be processed in the file manager, then import them into the software list and check the record count at the bottom of the interface. The screenshot shows a record count of 9, consistent with the number of example files. Taking a few seconds to verify before starting a batch task can prevent the need for subsequent re-processing.
3. Where should the output images be placed?
If it's just for quick personal viewing, you can save them directly to the original video directory for easy one-to-one correspondence. If it's for team sharing, review, or delivery, it's recommended to create a separate "Preview" folder and save all the JPGs there uniformly. This way, the original videos are not mixed up, and they are easier to package and send.
4. Is 3x3 always the best setting?
3x3 is a general-purpose setting suitable for previewing most MP4 videos. If the video is very short, a 9-grid is sufficient; if the video is very long, a 9-grid still provides a preliminary overview. Whether to adjust the vertical and horizontal numbers can be decided based on project needs. The example in this article uses 3 and 3 because it generates an intuitive 9-grid preview image.
Summary: Turning Video Viewing Work into a Batch-Executable Office Workflow
Batch generating video screenshot previews can significantly improve the efficiency of organizing MP4 files. Before processing, users face a batch of video files whose content cannot be directly identified; after processing, each video has a corresponding 9-grid JPG, allowing content to be determined directly from thumbnails. This method is very practical for video material retrieval, course material archiving, project delivery checks, and short video review.
The key steps for using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool are: enter Video Tools, select "Generate video preview image," import MP4 files, set the number of vertical images to 3 and the number of horizontal images to 3, choose a save location, and start the processing. It is recommended that the next time you organize a large number of videos, you first batch-generate 9-grid preview images, then proceed with filtering, renaming, and archiving. This can transform what was originally repetitive, piecemeal manual viewing into a unified, efficient batch processing workflow.