Copy File Names As Text

7 min read Oct 11, 2024

How to Copy File Names as Plain Text?

Have you ever needed to quickly get a list of file names from a folder without all the extra file path information? Maybe you need to paste it into a spreadsheet, use it in a script, or simply want to see a clean list of your files. The process of copying file names as plain text is surprisingly straightforward, and there are several methods you can use depending on your operating system and preferences.

Using the Command Line

For those who prefer a more direct approach, the command line is a powerful tool for manipulating files and extracting information. Here's how to copy file names as text using the command line:

Windows: Open the command prompt (cmd) or PowerShell. Navigate to the desired folder using the cd command. Execute the following command to list file names:
```
dir /b
```
This will display the filenames without any other information. You can then copy the output.
macOS/Linux: Open the terminal. Navigate to the desired folder using the cd command. Use the following command to list filenames:
```
ls
```
This will list the filenames. You can copy the output or use the -1 flag to list filenames one per line:
```
ls -1
```

Important Note: These commands will include hidden files. To exclude hidden files, add the -a flag to the command:

```bash
ls -a
```

Using File Explorer (Windows)

If you prefer a more visual approach, Windows File Explorer provides a simple way to copy file names as text:

Open the folder containing the files you want to list.
Select all the files by pressing Ctrl + A.
Right-click on any of the selected files and choose Copy.
Open a text editor like Notepad and paste the copied text.

This will paste the full path of each file, but you can easily remove the path information by highlighting and deleting it.

Using Finder (macOS)

Similar to File Explorer, Finder on macOS offers a straightforward method to copy file names:

Open the folder containing the files.
Select all the files by pressing Command + A.
Right-click on any of the selected files and choose Get Info.
Select all the text under "Name & Extension".
Copy the selected text.
Paste the copied text into a text editor.

You can then remove the unnecessary information like the path, size, and date modified from the copied text.

Using a Third-Party App

Many third-party applications are designed to work with files and folders, and some offer features that make it easier to copy file names as plain text:

Total Commander (Windows): This popular file manager offers a range of features for organizing and managing files. It allows you to select multiple files, right-click, and choose "Copy Selected Names" to copy the filenames without paths.
Finder (macOS): While the default Finder lacks a specific "copy names" option, you can use a third-party app like Path Finder which provides various tools for managing files, including copying file names without paths.

Using Online Tools

Several websites offer online tools that can help you extract filenames from a list of files. These tools often accept a list of file paths, and then provide you with a clean list of filenames:

Online File Path Extractor: This website allows you to paste a list of file paths and extract the filenames from them.
File Path Extractor: This tool provides similar functionality to the previous website, allowing you to paste file paths and extract filenames.

Tips for Copying File Names

Avoid Spaces in File Names: If you have spaces in your filenames, you may need to use quotes in your command line commands to prevent errors. For example, ls "My File.txt" would list the file named "My File.txt".
Explore Your Options: Depending on your workflow and preferences, you can choose the method that best suits your needs. The command line provides the most direct approach, while graphical interfaces offer a more visual way to manage files.

Conclusion

Copying file names as text is a simple but useful task that can be accomplished using various methods. Whether you prefer the command line, graphical interfaces, or third-party applications, you can easily extract a clean list of filenames for various purposes.