Emacs Dired rename many files

Question

How to rename from:

VAR1_1F_text.txt
VAR2_1F_text.txt
VAR3_2F_text.txt

to

1F_VAR1_text.txt
1F_VAR2_text.txt
2F_VAR3_text.txt

How to switch parts of filenames?

Answer 1

This can easily be done using dired:

1. Enter a dired view of your directory

2. Switch to writable dired mode (wdired-change-to-wdired-mode): C-xC-q

3. Edit the file names listing as if it were a normal buffer (for example using a keyboard macro or a rectangular selection or query-replace). Here is a regexp-based solution:

   C-M-%\(VAR.\)_\(..\)RET\2_\1RET

4. Finish editing (wdired-finish-edit): C-xC-s or C-cC-c

You're done!

Answer 2

You could also use Magnar Sveen's multiple-cursors from here, github link.

Switch to writable dired, select the files you want to rename, M-x mc/edit-lines. This should create multiple cursor each with its own kill history.