Please don't make me type this list out by hand...

August 20, 2005 7:16 AM

Is there an easy way to create a text file of all of the folders I have in a directory?

I have only what can only be described as a prodigious amount of mp3s sorted into folders by Author/Singer and Book/Album. Is there any way to generate a list of all the folders these are contained in?

posted by graventy to computers & internet (12 comments total)

dir /b /s *.mp3 > list.txt
posted by blue_beetle at 7:22 AM on August 20, 2005

Karen Kenworthy's Directory Printer (http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptdirprn.asp). It's free and, despite its name, you can save to disk as well as print the results.
posted by TheRaven at 7:28 AM on August 20, 2005

find * -type d > list.txt
posted by nicwolff at 8:00 AM on August 20, 2005

If you want to go a little crazier and give someone a useful list of your MP3s, try Oidua.
posted by Remy at 9:04 AM on August 20, 2005

Assuming you're on Windows, then blue_beetle's nearly there but you want a list of the folders rather than the files, correct?

In which case it is
dir /ad /s > list.txt

Then edit list.txt

Should do it.

dir /? will give you the lowdown on the command and all of it's wonderful permutations. The > symbol redirects the screen output to a file. All old DOS stuff.
posted by grahamwell at 9:42 AM on August 20, 2005

dir /? will give you the lowdown on the command and all of it's wonderful permutations. The > symbol redirects the screen output to a file. All old DOS stuff.

Ripped off from Unix >:(
posted by angry modem at 9:52 AM on August 20, 2005

Or, if you can find an old copy of it, tree.exe

It'll look nice too!
posted by shepd at 10:28 AM on August 20, 2005

Imitation, meet flattery.
posted by grahamwell at 10:38 AM on August 20, 2005

You can find a version of tree in Cygwin, if you want to go to that much trouble to get something prettier.
posted by grouse at 11:55 AM on August 20, 2005

I've always used PrintFolders to create txt file lists of my mp3 collection. It's very simple to use and produces clean, readable lists. The only thing I don't like about it is that the resulting txt file is in ALL CAPS, but I can live with that...
posted by flod at 11:58 AM on August 20, 2005

Total Commander will show whatever you have in directories and sub-directories from any place in the tree. It will then allow you to print these in any degree of detail you choose.

It will also allow you to select any or all files or folders and save that selection to a file which can be opened in MS Word or other text based apps.

It also does WAY more than these - I couldn't be without it.
posted by RMALCOLM at 2:01 PM on August 20, 2005

All of the correct Windows-based answers above don't mention that you have to go to the command line first. What is a command line? you ask. Start-Programs-Accessories-Command Prompt
posted by yclipse at 5:04 AM on August 21, 2005