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File Name Templates

File name templates are used to customize file and folder names generated by EZDetach. Templates allow you to do things like changing field order, customizing format for date and time, using various message values for subfolder naming, etc. Templates are configured in the Naming Tab of the Edit Profile window.

A template is composed of Fields and any additional characters you might want to have included in the file names.

Fields

Fields are placeholders which are replaced with values from the attachment or message been saved. For example, %M_SUBJ% is replaced with the message subject. %A_F_N% is replaced with the attachment file name. The Add Field button is a simple way to add new fields to the template. Explore the drop-down menu under that button to learn about all possible Fields.

Important

Always end the template with either %A_F_N% or .%A_F_E% in order to ensure that the saved files have the right extension.

Field Modifiers

Field Truncation

You can specify a limit on the length of field value by adding a number in square brackets at the end of the Field. For example, %M_SUBJ[5]% would use the first 5 characters from the subject name.

Field Initials

To use only initials of a field, add [IW]. For example, %M_S_N[IW]% uses only initials of the sender name.

Select Word

To use only the first word of a field, add [W1]. To use the second word, use [W2], etc.

For example, %M_SUBJ[W1]% uses only the first word of the subject.

Additional characters

In addition to Fields, you can also include other characters. They are usually used for field separators. However, they are not limited to separators. Use them for anything else you would like to appear in the file name. For example, if the attachment name is resume.doc and the message sender name is John Smith, here are a few sample templates and resulting file names.

Template Resulting File Name
%M_S_N% - %A_F_N% John Smith - resume.doc
%M_S_N% - %A_F_O[3]%.%A_F_E John Smith - res.doc
From %M_S_N% - %A_F_N% From John Smith - resume.doc

The extra characters you can use are not limited to separators. For example, you could use a template like From %M_S_N% - %A_F_N%. The resulting file name would be From John Smith - resume.doc.

Note

When creating a template, you may only use characters which are valid in Windows file names. The following characters are not allowed: / : ? * | > < "  !.

Creating subfolders

You can use templates to create subfolders too. Use one or more backslash to create subfolders. For example:

  • %F_P_R%\%A_F_N% - mirrors Outlook folder structure. (Same as “Use Outlook Folder Name” simple naming option).
  • %M_TR_yyyy%\%M_TR_MM%\Correspondence\%A_F_N% - creates Year\Month\Correspondence\ folder structure.

Custom Field

There is a special Field, %CF_V%. If you include that field into the template, EZDetach will prompt you for a value to replace this field with. This value can be used to include a reference to a project code, client name, matter number or anything else that makes sense to the way you organize messages