Script to Sort folders into parent folders

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:44:09 Z

Scenario:

I have 500+ folders named with a distinct number and name (1234_John Smith) which need to be sorted into parent folders based upon a list that I have in an excel spreadsheet. The only reliable match between the list and the folder names is the number. For tasks where there is no "~John Smith" in the folder name, I use a little batch file like this for each parent folder:

md "PoolA"
for /f %%a in (PoolAList.txt) do (
Move "*%%a*" "PoolA\%%a")

This little script works very well but causes me to lose the "John Smith" in the folder name.

I am gathering that a .vbs script would better suit my need to actually move folders around but I know next to nothing on the subject. Basically, I would like a script that I could place in the main directory (the one with all of the 1234_John Smith folders) which would:
1. Create a new folder
2. Look at a .txt file with a bunch of numbers in it
3. Place all folders that correspond to a number in the .txt file into the created folder (without renaming the moved-folder in any way)

I'm hoping that this is as easy as I think it is. Thanks in advance for any help!

Script to Sort folders into parent folders

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:32:07 Z

You can actually skip the file name in the destination of your MOVE call:

md "PoolA"
for /f %%a in (PoolAList.txt) do (
Move "*%%a*" "PoolA")

This should retain the whole file name, you won't lose the "Josh Smith" as in your example above.

Regards,

Salvador Manaois III
MCITP | Enterprise & Server Administrator
MCSE MCSA MCTS(x5) CIWA C|EH
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Script to Sort folders into parent folders

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:29:11 Z

Salvador,

Thank you for responding!

I tried what you suggested but am getting an error in the command window: "The filename, directory name or volume label syntax is incorrect." I think the problem is that I am attempting to move folders/directories (and the files contained therein) and not files? My understanding is that I couldn't actually "move" directories with a batch file - that I could only rename the directory... the problem being that I need to retain the rest of the directory name when moving.

Any further advice would be MUCH appreciated.

Thank you again,
Mike