Filters

The Files to Text and Folders to Text sections each start with a filter that controls which files or folders the command applies to — a file filter at the top of Files to Text, matching against filenames, and a folder filter at the top of Folders to Text, matching against folder names.

When the filter is collapsed, a summary of the current rule is shown so you can see at a glance what it is doing without having to expand it.

How filters are applied

The file filter (if one is set) is applied to each of the files selected. Any files that don't match are excluded from the results.

The folder filter (if one is set) is applied to each of the folders selected. Any folders that don't match are excluded from the results.

If all of the selected items are excluded by the filter(s) set for a command, then that command is hidden from the File Explorer context menu.

When one of the folder options that expands subfolders is selected, then the folder filter continues to be applied to all subfolders found, and the file filter to any files in those subfolders.

Filter types

The file filter offers three ways to match: Extensions, Wildcard, and Regular expression. The folder filter offers only Wildcard and Regular expression, since folders do not normally have extensions.

Extensions

Match by a list of file extensions. The extensions list is selected from a drop-down of available presets (for example Image Files, or Audio & Video Files preset). Selecting Custom from the drop-down lets you enter your own list of extensions directly.

To edit, remove, or add to the presets offered in the drop-down, use the Manage Presets button — see Manage Presets below.

Wildcard

Match by a wildcard pattern using * and ?. * matches anything (zero or more characters). ? matches exactly one character. The pattern is validated against the characters that Windows does not allow in filenames; if any are present, an error indicator is shown and the filter cannot be saved until the pattern is fixed.

Note: any text in the wildcard pattern is case insensitive.

Regular expression

Match by a regular expression for full flexibility. Invalid regex syntax is reported with an error indicator in the same way. Tip: if you need help writing regular expressions, ai chatbots are usually good at this.

Note: any text in the regular expression is case insensitive.

Manage Presets

Click the Manage Presets button next to the extensions drop-down to open the Manage Presets dialog. This dialog lets you edit, remove, and add to the presets that appear in the drop-down.

Each preset is shown as an inline-editable row with a name field and an extensions field. Both can be edited directly in the row. Use Tab to move between the name and the extensions.

When you add a new preset, the list scrolls to the new row so you can start typing straight away.

Extensions are validated as you type; the OK button is only enabled when every row contains a valid extensions list.

Default presets

CopyFilenames ships with the following default set of presets:

• Image Files
• Audio Files
• Video Files
• Audio & Video Files
• Document Files
• Source Code
• Archives