Any windows experts out there

[mr.jones]

Hi all, I'm in the process of sorting thousands of tag pics and have hit a snag I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with.

It happens when I have a partial Vin as I am sorting my pics in the following format HQ L234567 80270, my problem comes when the file name looks like this HQ L234xxx 80270.

I need to organise the pics in the PSN order and all those with xxx in them get put at the front of the line regardless of rest of the numbers/letters in front, is there anyway or symbol to use that will put them in a semblance of order?

thanks Leroy

[Big Rob]

Hmmm, that's a tough one.

I have the same problem when sorting some pictures too and have just started another file with the weird pic numbers to keep them in order. That way everything is in order, but when you are searching, you have to jump between the 2 files sometimes when you find a gap.

[Innuendo]

Leroy,

Use an Asterisk * in place of your x

So you could have

HQ L234*** 80270
HQ L234567 80270
HQ L234568 80270
HQ L234569 80270
HQ L234570 80270

They should sort in the order you require.

Hmm, I just reread your problem. You can't use a symbol in a file image naming format but you can use it via "tags" as I thought you were asking.
Then realised you actually mean VIN tags. This being the case you will need to introduce some other method.

[Blocker]

Leroy

File names cannot have symbols so replace the asterisk with an abbreviation such as 'unkwn' for 'unknown' or whatever suits your needs.
With multiple incomplete VIN your files will be appended with a bracket and number such as automagically by Windows.

• HQ L234unkwn 80270
  HQ L234unkwn 80270 (2)
  HQ L234569 80270
  HQ L234570 80270

Another option is create a spreadsheet that links the named cell HQ L234xxx 80270 to the photo on another worksheet, or use a database that links to the photo using the file attributes of the photo as a link.

[mr.jones]

Thanks mate I give the unkwn part a go