How does batch process "Change Name" action helps me to change the underlying filename of a document?

[halloleo]

I want to solve How can I change the FILE name of a document with double extensions with a batch process. So I’ve read Bluefrog’s Rename extension on many receipt PDF’s.

But when i try it out I still have probelms. Staring situation is a document which looks in DT3 like this:

In the file system it looks like this:

Now I want to create a Batch process which changes the file name so that it has only one “.pdf” (because I have quite a few documents where the file name ends with “.pdf.pdf”).

I started with the Batch process actions from Bluefrog’s post (using the * placeholder):

But somehow this does nothing (neither to the name nor to the underlying file). Then I tried using the File Name placeholder:

This does change the underlying file to one extension:

So far so good - but it adds to the document name the extension as well:

So my question is: How can I add now some action to the Batch process, so that the document name changes to no extension? (And the filename still has one extension.)

Many thanks for any pointers!

[cgrunenberg]

@halloleo

But somehow this does nothing (neither to the name nor to the underlying file). Then I tried using the File Name placeholder:

The name does not include the extension. The easiest way to fix this is by renaming the file. E.g. like this:

NOTE:
This uses the aliases to store the original name temporarily.

[BLUEFROG]

Why are you trying to remove the document’s extension?

If you don’t want to see them in the item list, have you disabled Preferences > General > Appearance > Show filename extensions?

[halloleo]

Yes, Show filename extensions is unchecked:

[halloleo]

Storing the Name in “Aliases”: works. Thanks!

Should I somehow clear the “Aliases” field afterwards?

[cgrunenberg]

The last action on my screenshot clears the aliases again.

[halloleo]

Ups, yes, of course! Sorry for my oversight: In true dummy’s confidence I thought this line might be just an unintended left-over… Thanks for patiently point me back to it!

One question though about it – for me the following happens: After I ran a Batch Process with the last Change Aliases action set to empty and I open The Batch Process dialog again, everything is pre-filled with the actions of the run before – except this last line: It is always filled with “Aliases”.

Why’s that?

[cgrunenberg]

@halloleo

It is always filled with “Aliases”.

Why’s that?

Empty fields are replaced with certain default values. If you need these actions regularly, you could also create a smart rule with the same actions and use it on demand (e.g. via drag & drop).

[halloleo]

Makes sense. Thanks.

[cgrunenberg]

Another possibility is to just enter a space when changing e.g. aliases or URLs. DEVONthink automatically trims spaces anyway.

[halloleo]

Good idea. Thanks a lot.