How to Use mmv for Bulk File Renaming in Linux

Renaming files is a common task for Linux users, whether for better organization or processing files in bulk. While tools like mv and rename are useful, mmv (short for multiple move) stands out for its ability to handle batch file renaming with ease and flexibility.

This article will introduce you to mmv, show you how to install it, and provide examples of advanced file-renaming scenarios.

What is mmv?

mmv is a command-line utility for renaming, moving, and copying multiple files simultaneously. Unlike the mv command, which operates on a single file at a time, mmv simplifies bulk operations by using patterns and placeholders.

Installing mmv on Linux

The installation process for mmv depends on your Linux distribution. Use the corresponding command below:

sudo apt install mmv         # For Debian, Ubuntu, Mint
sudo yum install mmv         # For RHEL, CentOS, Fedora, Rocky/AlmaLinux
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/mmv  # For Gentoo Linux
sudo apk add mmv             # For Alpine Linux
sudo pacman -S mmv           # For Arch Linux
sudo zypper install mmv      # For OpenSUSE
sudo pkg install mmv         # For FreeBSD

Once installed, verify the installation by running:

mmv -h

Basic Syntax of mmv

The general format of the mmv command is:

mmv [options] source_pattern target_pattern

• source_pattern: Matches the files you want to rename.
• target_pattern: Specifies how the renamed files should appear.
• Placeholders (#1, #2): Correspond to parts of the filename matched by wildcards.

For example:

mmv '*.txt' '#1.md'

This renames all .txt files to .md files while preserving the filenames.

Advanced Usage Examples

Here are several examples that demonstrate the versatility of mmv:

1. Rename Files with a Pattern

Suppose you have files named file1.txt, file2.txt, file3.txt, and you want to rename them to document1.txt, document2.txt, etc.

Command:

mmv 'file*.txt' 'document#1.txt'

• file*.txt: Matches files starting with file and ending in .txt.
• document#1.txt: Renames matched files by replacing file with document.

2. Add a Prefix or Suffix to Filenames

Add a Prefix

For files like image1.jpg, image2.jpg, you can add the prefix 2025_:

mmv '*.jpg' '2025_#1.jpg'

This renames the files to 2025_image1.jpg, 2025_image2.jpg, etc.

Add a Suffix

To add _2025 as a suffix:

mmv '*.jpg' '#1_2025.jpg'

Resulting filenames: image1_2025.jpg, image2_2025.jpg.

3. Rename Files Using Regular Expressions

If you have files like data_01.txt, data_02.txt, and you want to remove the leading zero in the numbering:

mmv 'data_0*.txt' 'data_#1.txt'

Here, #1 retains the numeric part of the filename after removing the leading zero.

4. Change File Extensions

To rename all .txt files to .csv:

mmv '*.txt' '#1.csv'

This replaces .txt with .csv while keeping the original filenames.

5. Recursive Renaming in Subdirectories

To rename all .txt files in the current directory and its subdirectories:

mmv -r '*.txt' '#1.md'

The -r option ensures that mmv searches subdirectories recursively.

6. Replace Specific Parts of Filenames

If you have files like report_Jan.pdf, report_Feb.pdf and want to replace report_ with summary_:

mmv 'report_*.pdf' 'summary_#1.pdf'

This renames the files to summary_Jan.pdf, summary_Feb.pdf.

Tips for Safe Renaming

1. Preview Changes: Before executing, use the -n option to preview the changes without applying them:bashCopiar códigommv -n '*.txt' '#1.md'
2. Backup Files: If you’re working on critical files, ensure you have a backup before bulk renaming.
3. Avoid Overwrites: Use unique target patterns to prevent accidentally overwriting files.

Conclusion

mmv is a powerful and flexible tool for bulk file renaming in Linux, allowing you to handle complex patterns, add prefixes/suffixes, or modify extensions with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned user or new to Linux, mmv can save you significant time when organizing and managing files.