Rename multiple files in a directory in Python

Jeff picture Jeff · May 3, 2010 · Viewed 601.6k times · Source

I'm trying to rename some files in a directory using Python.

Say I have a file called CHEESE_CHEESE_TYPE.*** and want to remove CHEESE_ so my resulting filename would be CHEESE_TYPE

I'm trying to use the os.path.split but it's not working properly. I have also considered using string manipulations, but have not been successful with that either.

Answer

Messa picture Messa · May 3, 2010

Use os.rename(src, dst) to rename or move a file or a directory.

$ ls
cheese_cheese_type.bar  cheese_cheese_type.foo
$ python
>>> import os
>>> for filename in os.listdir("."):
...  if filename.startswith("cheese_"):
...    os.rename(filename, filename[7:])
... 
>>> 
$ ls
cheese_type.bar  cheese_type.foo