Lightroom Photo Naming Help: I am trying to organize my files within LR 5.7. I managed to universally rename every image with the file name by mistake and don't know how I did it. How...

Shoot Happens

I am trying to organize my files within LR 5.7. I managed to universally rename every image with the file name by mistake and don't know how I did it. How do I get it back to where it was with some of them as original file names and others named differently.
I have highlighted a collection in my library, chose Rename Photos to a different name but my library still shows them all with the file name. The name changes have only occurred within LR.
Thanks for your help.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Shoot Happens wrote:

I am trying to organize my files within LR 5.7. I managed to universally rename every image with the file name by mistake and don't know how I did it. How do I get it back to where it was with some of them as original file names and others named differently.
I have highlighted a collection in my library, chose Rename Photos to a different name but my library still shows them all with the file name. The name changes have only occurred within LR.
Thanks for your help.

If the files have actually been renamed, the short answer is, you can't.

Lightroom is powerful software, and as users, we need to understand how it does things. I would recommend the book Adobe Lightroom Classroom in a Book, available at any of the book stores, including Amazon. It is very powerful and will give you insight into using the power of LR, yet it is laid out very intuitively, making it easy to read.

Helping you through this will require the writing of a true diatribe that will likely become confusing for you.

I recognize the brevity of my response, but I know I'm giving good information.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Shoot Happens wrote:

I am trying to organize my files within LR 5.7. I managed to universally rename every image with the file name by mistake and don't know how I did it. How do I get it back to where it was with some of them as original file names and others named differently.
I have highlighted a collection in my library, chose Rename Photos to a different name but my library still shows them all with the file name. The name changes have only occurred within LR.
Thanks for your help.

You need Searcher. If he doesn't respond to your post do a User Search and PM him. He's the resident expert on LR.

Shoot Happens

Thanks for the suggestions. After about 1 1/2 hours I finally found it. Under, Library - View Options - Grid View - Compact Cell Extras - Top and Bottom Label.
I have no idea how I got in there to change it in the first place but it is now perfect and I learned that you can add some useful information to the grid view.
Thanks again

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Shoot Happens wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions. After about 1 1/2 hours I finally found it. Under, Library - View Options - Grid View - Compact Cell Extras - Top and Bottom Label.
I have no idea how I got in there to change it in the first place but it is now perfect and I learned that you can add some useful information to the grid view.
Thanks again

So you didn't actually change the file names....just what info showed up in the grid view?

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Shoot Happens wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions. After about 1 1/2 hours I finally found it. Under, Library - View Options - Grid View - Compact Cell Extras - Top and Bottom Label.
I have no idea how I got in there to change it in the first place but it is now perfect and I learned that you can add some useful information to the grid view.
Thanks again

:thumbup:

Shoot Happens

I have to preface everything with the fact I am a techno-dope when it comes to this stuff. I know how to take great images but I am not that proficient at the pc. I like to just turn it on and everything works as it should. Just like my car. The days of me changing my own oil stopped many years ago.
Under each thumbnail was the file name. Somehow I managed to have them all change one level up. So, it was say, 276-NEF, they all changed to say, 2015 Europe, if that makes any sense to you.
As I said, I have now learned something. Being new to this site, I appreciate how so many people want to help those like me traverse through these situations.
Thanks again

Stage Light Loc: Northeast

Indi wrote:

You need Searcher. If he doesn't respond to your post do a User Search and PM him. He's the resident expert on LR.

:) :)

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I highly recommend getting one or two of the books on Lightroom and learning it a bit at a time. It's a powerful cataloging and organizing tool, once you know how to use it. Some of it is pretty intuitive, but there's a whole lot more right under the surface if you know where to look. I find the books easier than classes, online tutorials or posting panicked questions to forums after I get in trouble. With the books I can learn at my own pace, a little at a time.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Shoot Happens wrote:

I have to preface everything with the fact I am a techno-dope when it comes to this stuff. I know how to take great images but I am not that proficient at the pc. I like to just turn it on and everything works as it should. Just like my car. The days of me changing my own oil stopped many years ago. <snip>
Thanks again

Your are Apple's target market! LOL. I recommend you stop by your local Apple store and ask them to show you around. You might like what you see.

And thanks for posting the solution, you taught me something about LR too.