How can I do a search that results including/highlights the file name, the folder and the HDD name?

[pellelin]

@guy038
Hello!
I understand that you spent time on a solution for me, much appreciated!
But I don’t understand much of what you suggest, I’m not all that Notepad++ savvy.
I think I’ll stick with the solution I now use, open Notepad++, drag all (26) HDD txt’s into it, then do a search using “Find in All Opened Documents” and it does the job.
Not so elegant though, I was hoping for a solution with a search in one single txt with all HDDs directories combined.

Best regards,
pellelin

[guy038]

Hello, @pellelin and All,

You said in a previous post :

[ WD-1 ] [ WD-2 ] etc. is the name of the drives given by me.
Windows assigns the drives as (D:) (E:) (F:) (G:) etc.
I use a software that creates the directory list, with chosen levels 5, 6 or more if needed.
I create a directory list of each HDD and then combine each list to a large .txt file, to do the search for files from.
Many large HDDs, many directories, thousands of files = a huge .txt file…

So, I suppose that you have 26 files, named WD-1.txt, WD-2.txt and so on till WD-26.txt that you combined in a single huge file, let’s say, Total.txt

---

BTW, the best way to combine several text files is to use the DOS command

copy WD-1.txt + WD-2.txt + WD-3.txt + .... + WD-26.txt Total.txt

Or, if all your texts are in a same folder, once you’re located within that folder, use simply the DOS ommnand :

copy *.* Total.txt

Now, if I try to interpret your text :

[ WD-1 ]

F:\Example\
F:\Example\Animated.gif
F:\Example\Example.txt
F:\Example\This is a video from the countryside.mp4

F:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
F:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project four.ai
F:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project one.ai
F:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project three.ai
F:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project two.ai

F:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
F:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\1754387contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect.png

F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\another town.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\old town.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\ruins.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\this town.jpg

F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\city.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\fields.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\stormy.sea.jpg
F:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\woodlands.jpg

F:\Example\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
F:\Example\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40 Multispray.jpg

F:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
F:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\printproject .png files.png

F:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\
F:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\birthday-grandchildren print files.psd
F:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\print project .psd files - Copy.psd

F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-1 ].txt
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-2 ].txt
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-3 ].txt

F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\ABC.docx
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\DEF.docx
F:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\GHI.docx

F:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
F:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Berlin.mp4

F:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
F:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Paris.mp4

[ WD-2 ]

G:\Example\
G:\Example\Animated Dog.gif
G:\Example\Example 2.txt
G:\Example\This is a video from the lakeside.mp4

G:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
G:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project eight.ai
G:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project five.ai
G:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project seven.ai
G:\Example\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project six.ai

G:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
G:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC.png

G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\lakeside.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\london.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\new-york.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\the atlantic.jpg

G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Copenhagen.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Helsingfors.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Stockholm.jpg
G:\Example\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Tokyo.jpg

G:\Example\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
G:\Example\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40.jpg

G:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
G:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hoodie .png files.png

G:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\
G:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\grandchildren-print files.psd
G:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\print project 2022.psd

G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-4 ].txt
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-5 ].txt
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-6 ].txt

G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\JKL.docx
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\MNO.docx
G:\Example\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\PQR.docx

G:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
G:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Göteborg.mp4

G:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
G:\Example\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4

[ WD-3 ]

H:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2000~ ~\PNG-transparent\
H:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2001 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\horses.jpg

H:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2002 ~ ~\PSD\
H:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2003 ~ ~\PSD\children-print files.psd
H:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2004 ~ ~\PSD\printchildren 2022.psd

[ WD-4 ]

I:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2005 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
I:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2006 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hooligans.jpg
I:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2007 ~ ~\PSD\
I:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2008 ~ ~\PSD\hooligans-print files.psd
I:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2009 ~ ~\PSD\print hooligans 2022.psd

[ WD-5 ]

J:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2012 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
J:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2013 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hope.png

J:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2014 ~ ~\PSD\
J:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2015 ~ ~\PSD\hope.psd
J:\Example\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2016 ~ ~\PSD\hopeproject 2016.psd

I suppose that your WD-1.txt contains :

[ WD-1 ]

F:\Animated.gif
F:\Example.txt
F:\This is a video from the countryside.mp4

F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project four.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project one.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project three.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project two.ai

F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\1754387contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect.png

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\another town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\old town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\ruins.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\this town.jpg

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\city.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\fields.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\stormy.sea.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\woodlands.jpg

F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40 Multispray.jpg

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\printproject .png files.png

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\birthday-grandchildren print files.psd
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\print project .psd files - Copy.psd

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-1 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-2 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-3 ].txt

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\ABC.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\DEF.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\GHI.docx

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Berlin.mp4

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Paris.mp4

Your WD-2.txt contains :

[ WD-2 ]

G:\Animated Dog.gif
G:\Example 2.txt
G:\This is a video from the lakeside.mp4

G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project eight.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project five.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project seven.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project six.ai

G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC.png

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\lakeside.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\london.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\new-york.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\the atlantic.jpg

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Copenhagen.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Helsingfors.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Stockholm.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Tokyo.jpg

G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40.jpg

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hoodie .png files.png

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\grandchildren-print files.psd
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\print project 2022.psd

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-4 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-5 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-6 ].txt

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\JKL.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\MNO.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\PQR.docx

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Göteborg.mp4

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4

And so on, till the WD-26.txt

---

Now, I do not understand exactly your problem ! Once all these WD-?? files are combined in the single file Total.txt, searching for Malmö in normal search mode, within the Total.txt, will automatically redirect you to the line :

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4

Where it’s easy to notice that the Malmö video file is located on G:\Video\Lowres\Family\1080x720 !

---

So, in brief, I guess we just do not understand each other ! Could you give me some more information, if you think it’s worth it ?

Best Regards

guy038

[pellelin]

@guy038
Hello!

Yes, when search for Malmö in Total.txt I find G:--=[ Video--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4
Forget about the (G:) by Windows assigned drive letter as the actual HDDs are external hard drives.
What drive [ WD-? ] is Malmö.mp4 on? It is located somewhere between [ WD-1 ] and [ WD-26 ].

Best regards,
pellelin

[guy038]

Hello, @pellelin and All,

Ah… ! OK, I see your point ! Then, just follow the few steps below :

---

• Let’s start with this Total.txt file as the INPUT text that you’ll paste in a new tab :

[ WD-1 ]

F:\
F:\Animated.gif
F:\Example.txt
F:\This is a video from the countryside.mp4

F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project four.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project one.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project three.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project two.ai

F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\1754387contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect.png

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\another town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\old town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\ruins.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\this town.jpg

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\city.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\fields.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\stormy.sea.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\woodlands.jpg

F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40 Multispray.jpg

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\printproject .png files.png

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\birthday-grandchildren print files.psd
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\print project .psd files - Copy.psd

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-1 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-2 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-3 ].txt

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\ABC.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\DEF.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\GHI.docx

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Berlin.mp4

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Paris.mp4

[ WD-2 ]

G:\
G:\Animated Dog.gif
G:\Example 2.txt
G:\This is a video from the lakeside.mp4

G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project eight.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project five.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project seven.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project six.ai

G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC.png

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\lakeside.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\london.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\new-york.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\the atlantic.jpg

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Copenhagen.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Helsingfors.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Stockholm.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Tokyo.jpg

G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40.jpg

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hoodie .png files.png

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\grandchildren-print files.psd
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\print project 2022.psd

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-4 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-5 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-6 ].txt

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\JKL.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\MNO.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\PQR.docx

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Göteborg.mp4

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4

[ WD-3 ]

H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2000~ ~\PNG-transparent\
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2001 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\horses.jpg

H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2002 ~ ~\PSD\
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2003 ~ ~\PSD\children-print files.psd
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2004 ~ ~\PSD\printchildren 2022.psd

[ WD-4 ]

I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2005 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2006 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hooligans.jpg
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2007 ~ ~\PSD\
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2008 ~ ~\PSD\hooligans-print files.psd
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2009 ~ ~\PSD\print hooligans 2022.psd

[ WD-5 ]

J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2012 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2013 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hope.png

J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2014 ~ ~\PSD\
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2015 ~ ~\PSD\hope.psd
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2016 ~ ~\PSD\hopeproject 2016.psd

• First, run the option Edit > Line operations > Reverse line order ( IMPORTANT )

You should get this temporary text :

J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2016 ~ ~\PSD\hopeproject 2016.psd
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2015 ~ ~\PSD\hope.psd
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2014 ~ ~\PSD\

J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2013 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hope.png
J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2012 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\

[ WD-5 ]

I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2009 ~ ~\PSD\print hooligans 2022.psd
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2008 ~ ~\PSD\hooligans-print files.psd
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2007 ~ ~\PSD\
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2006 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hooligans.jpg
I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2005 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\

[ WD-4 ]

H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2004 ~ ~\PSD\printchildren 2022.psd
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2003 ~ ~\PSD\children-print files.psd
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2002 ~ ~\PSD\

H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2001 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\horses.jpg
H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2000~ ~\PNG-transparent\

[ WD-3 ]

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\

G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Göteborg.mp4
G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\PQR.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\MNO.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\JKL.docx
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\

G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-6 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-5 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-4 ].txt
G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\print project 2022.psd
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\grandchildren-print files.psd
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\

G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hoodie .png files.png
G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\

G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Tokyo.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Stockholm.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Helsingfors.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Copenhagen.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\

G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\the atlantic.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\new-york.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\london.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\lakeside.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\

G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC.png
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\

G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project six.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project seven.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project five.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project eight.ai
G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\

G:\This is a video from the lakeside.mp4
G:\Example 2.txt
G:\Animated Dog.gif
G:\

[ WD-2 ]

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Paris.mp4
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\

F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Berlin.mp4
F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\GHI.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\DEF.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\ABC.docx
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\

F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-3 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-2 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-1 ].txt
F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\print project .psd files - Copy.psd
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\birthday-grandchildren print files.psd
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\

F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\printproject .png files.png
F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\

F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40 Multispray.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\woodlands.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\stormy.sea.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\fields.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\city.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\

F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\this town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\ruins.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\old town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\another town.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\

F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect.png
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\1754387contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\

F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project two.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project three.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project one.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project four.ai
F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\

F:\This is a video from the countryside.mp4
F:\Example.txt
F:\Animated.gif
F:\

[ WD-1 ]

Refer to my next post

BR

guy038

[guy038]

Hi, @pellelin and All,

Continuation and end of my post !

• Now, open the Replace dialog ( Ctrl + H )

• Uncheck all box options

  • FIND (?-si)^(\u:.+)(?=(?s:.+?)^(\x5B WD-\d+ \x5D)$)|^\x5B WD-\d+ \x5D\R

  • REPLACE ?2\2\t\1

( Note that this present regex replacement is completely different, of course, from the solution given in this post https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/post/105618 ! )

• Check the Wrap around option

• Select the Regular expression search mode

• Click on the Replace All button

• Then, re-run the Edit > Line operations > Reverse line order option ( IMPORTANT )

• Finally, save this new Total.txt file for future study within N++ or Excel !

Your new Total.txt file ( the expected OUTPUT text ) should be as below :

[ WD-1 ]	F:\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\Animated.gif
[ WD-1 ]	F:\Example.txt
[ WD-1 ]	F:\This is a video from the countryside.mp4

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project four.ai
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project one.ai
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project three.ai
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project two.ai

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\1754387contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect.png

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\another town.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\old town.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\ruins.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2025\Cities\this town.jpg

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\city.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\fields.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\stormy.sea.jpg
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2026\woodlands.jpg

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40 Multispray.jpg

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\printproject .png files.png

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\birthday-grandchildren print files.psd
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2024 ~ ~\PSD\print project .psd files - Copy.psd

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-1 ].txt
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-2 ].txt
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-3 ].txt

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\ABC.docx
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\DEF.docx
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\GHI.docx

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Berlin.mp4

[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
[ WD-1 ]	F:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Paris.mp4


[ WD-2 ]	G:\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\Animated Dog.gif
[ WD-2 ]	G:\Example 2.txt
[ WD-2 ]	G:\This is a video from the lakeside.mp4

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project eight.ai
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project five.ai
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project seven.ai
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Illustrator\Projects\2024 ~ ~\project six.ai

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\contactcleanprotect250mlh600-rgb.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\CRC is good for Contact Clean & Protect\CRC.png

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\lakeside.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\london.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\new-york.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2023\the atlantic.jpg

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Copenhagen.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Helsingfors.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Stockholm.jpg
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\Vacation\2024\Cities\Tokyo.jpg

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Images\WD-40 Multispray\WD-40.jpg

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hoodie .png files.png

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\grandchildren-print files.psd
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2022 ~ ~\PSD\print project 2022.psd

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-4 ].txt
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-5 ].txt
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Notepad++\[ WD-6 ].txt

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\JKL.docx
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\MNO.docx
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Text\Documents\Word\PQR.docx

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Hires\Vacation\1920x1080\Göteborg.mp4

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\
[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4


[ WD-3 ]	H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2000~ ~\PNG-transparent\
[ WD-3 ]	H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2001 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\horses.jpg

[ WD-3 ]	H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2002 ~ ~\PSD\
[ WD-3 ]	H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2003 ~ ~\PSD\children-print files.psd
[ WD-3 ]	H:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2004 ~ ~\PSD\printchildren 2022.psd


[ WD-4 ]	I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2005 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
[ WD-4 ]	I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2006 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hooligans.jpg
[ WD-4 ]	I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2007 ~ ~\PSD\
[ WD-4 ]	I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2008 ~ ~\PSD\hooligans-print files.psd
[ WD-4 ]	I:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2009 ~ ~\PSD\print hooligans 2022.psd


[ WD-5 ]	J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2012 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\
[ WD-5 ]	J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2013 ~ ~\PNG-transparent\hope.png

[ WD-5 ]	J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2014 ~ ~\PSD\
[ WD-5 ]	J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2015 ~ ~\PSD\hope.psd
[ WD-5 ]	J:\--=[ Photoshop\Projects\2016 ~ ~\PSD\hopeproject 2016.psd

This time, simply searching for the word Malmö would lead you to the line :

[ WD-2 ]	G:\--=[ Video\--=[ Lowres\Family\1080x720\Malmö.mp4

where the true drive [ WD-2 ] is clearly reported at beginning of line !

---

Of course, this is just a first draft ! Changes are certainly to be expected !

See you later

Best Regards,

guy038

[pellelin]

@guy038
Hello!
I’ve tested your solution and it works perfectly on the Example Total.txt file, but… with my actual WD-1 to WD-26 files merged into Total.txt, Notepad++ doesn’t respond and then crashes.
I’ve gone through all the [ WD ] files and cleaned them up a bit, removing empty lines and other junk to make it as similar as possible to the Example file.
I appreciate your help and if you feel like you’ve reached a point where you want to round this off, that’s OK with me.
I mean I can actually find the right [ WD ] although not as neat as your solution.

Best regards,
pellelin

[guy038]

Hello, @pellelin and All,

@pellelin, I’m not going to give up ! Of course, the present Total.txt file, for test, was only 5.54 Kb and, probably, your own Total .txt file has a much greater size !

Now, you could send me an example of your real Total.txt file by two means :

• To my e-mail address at tguy.038@gmail.com

• By publishing it on your Google-Drive account, with an access to myself or anyone !

There is surely a way to get the regex, or a similar one, to work nicely against your real file !

Note that , sometimes, in case of a very huge file, a regex may display an error message, saying that a complexity state has been reached and that the search/replacement cannot be achieved :-(( However, there’s generally a way to modify this regex replacement in such a way that it could be finally done correctly !

Best Regards,

guy038

P.S. :

At the end of our story, I’ll explain you, in detal, how the regex replacement works !

[mpheath]

@pellelin When you double-click on the match in the search results panel, it will cause a goto to the line in the editor and highlight the match. The caret will be at the line of interest. If you then can run a script to search backwards from the current caret position to find the section name like [ WD-1 ], then it can show a messagebox of the name and even offer to goto the position of the name.

# about: Get the section name from the current position.
# help: https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/23039
# name: GetSectionName
# require: Notepad++ with PythonScript >= 2 plugin

from Npp import editor, notepad, FINDOPTION, MESSAGEBOXFLAGS

def main():
    title = 'GetSectionName'
    pos = editor.getCurrentPos()
    m = editor.findTextFull(FINDOPTION.REGEXP, pos, 0, r'^\[.+\][ \t]*$')

    if not m:
        notepad.messageBox('Name not found', title,
                           MESSAGEBOXFLAGS.ICONEXCLAMATION)
        return

    text = editor.getTextRangeFull(*m)
    name = text[1:-1].strip()

    reply = notepad.messageBox('Name is {!r}\r\nWant to go there?'
                               .format(name), title,
                               MESSAGEBOXFLAGS.ICONQUESTION|
                               MESSAGEBOXFLAGS.YESNO|
                               MESSAGEBOXFLAGS.DEFBUTTON2)

    if reply == MESSAGEBOXFLAGS.RESULTYES:
        editor.gotoPos(m[0])

main()

Running the script with the text as posted results in a messagebox with:

---------------------------
GetSectionName
---------------------------
Name is 'WD-2'

Want to go there?
---------------------------
Yes   No   
---------------------------

It may not exactly be a customized text in the search results panel, though may still be reasonable for use. Requires the PythonScript plugin as described in a FAQ post to run the script. Tested with PythonScript 3. The speed of operation might be a concern with a file of ~36MB and possibly searching backwards thousands of lines for a section name which may take more time to finish.

[pellelin]

@guy038
Hello and thank you for your kindness, but sending you the entire file is not an option for me.

Best regards,
pellelin

@mpheath
Hello!
Unfortunately, what you suggest is a bit over my head… swoosh… :D
As I thought from the beginning of this thread, this is probably too complicated to solve in a easy way. I’ll just have to open all 26 txt files in Notepad++ and then I’ll find what I’m looking for. Many thanks for the answers I’ve received, they’re much appreciated!

Best regards,
pellelin

[guy038]

Hello, @pellelin, @mpheath, and All,

Oh…, @pellelin, in my previous post, I forgot to mention confidentiality and sensitive information. Of course, I completely understand why you don’t want to send me your summary file!

However, if you could send me an example — even a shorter one, with any personal information removed — I’m sure I could find a suitable replacement, using regular expressions !

I only need the text’s formatting / text’s frame, not the words themselves .

BR

guy038