Move files from search with folder structure

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robubble
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:43 pm

Move files from search with folder structure

Post by robubble »

Hello to everyone.

I didn't find a way to do so yet, so here's the question/suggestion:

I'm trying to move mutiple files from search and or branch/flat view to another location but with there folder structure/parent folders.

Use case would be:
There are several images with different recording days (EXIF data) in mutiple subfolders. I want to sort them into the same structure but separated by that dates.
As an example:
Source:
Main folder
- Subfolder 1
- Subfolder 2

Processed:
Main Folder
- Subfolder 1
-- Date 1
-- Date 2
- Subfolder 2
-- Date 1
-- Date 2

The only way I found so far is through batch processing but I don't want the files to be canged, only moved/copied (maybe adding this into the batch processing tool would be a possible solution?). Another way could be an option in the move/copy dialogue where I can choose how many parent folders should be included.
Do you have other ideas how to archive this in different ways?
vovka
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:32 pm

Re: Move files from search with folder structure

Post by vovka »

It would be great if 'Copy to...' and 'Move to...' dialogs have a toggle 'Keep folder structure'.
Or add an option 'Copy only (do not convert)' to 'Batch convert' dialog.
User avatar
user0
XnThusiast
Posts: 2616
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 9:37 am

Re: Move files from search with folder structure

Post by user0 »

try 'Import and sort' in Browser>File
vovka
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:32 pm

Re: Move files from search with folder structure

Post by vovka »

user0 wrote: Mon Dec 01, 2025 6:27 am try 'Import and sort' in Browser>File
here's the example:
i have a huge library of scanned photos (with assigned categories) stored on different disks/folders/subfolders
now i want to copy all photos with 'School' category to a different location
i filter the files, select them all
but when i use 'Copy to...' then all files will be written in one folder
this is not what i want, i want that source folder structure to be retained

'Batch convert' has this feature but it's not always OK because it forcefully converts images
User avatar
user0
XnThusiast
Posts: 2616
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 9:37 am

Re: Move files from search with folder structure

Post by user0 »

vovka wrote: Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:21 pm 'Batch convert' has this feature but it's not always OK because it forcefully converts images
1. select output format that will be larger than your original files (eg BMP)
2. check 'Keep original when encoded result is larger'
cday
XnThusiast
Posts: 4457
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:45 am
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: Move files from search with folder structure

Post by cday »

vovka wrote: Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:21 pm here's the example:
i have a huge library of scanned photos (with assigned categories) stored on different disks/folders/subfolders
now i want to copy all photos with 'School' category to a different location
i filter the files, select them all
but when i use 'Copy to...' then all files will be written in one folder
this is not what i want, i want that source folder structure to be retained

'Batch convert' has this feature but it's not always OK because it forcefully converts images
With no 'Actions' selected, or in what respect? You could possibly post that as a bug.
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