Search for filename length

Inspire has a character limit on filenames. To identify long file names so that you can rename them to something shorter, use an advanced query with a Field of Filename length. You can also use this search to find short filenames.

Tips and tricks

  • Inspire uses different names for the same component to help you find a topic quickly no matter what task you are doing.

    • The Component name is meant to be user-friendly to help authors and coordinators quickly understand the topic's content. For example, Chapter 1 Install the Battery.
    • The Filename includes the Component name (which you can override), plus a GUID and the extension (file type) added by Inspire. For example, Chapter_1_Install_the_Battery_86ce4dac-6e86-4336-9fcf-4ddc19530604.xml
  • Inspire restricts the Filename to 150 characters or fewer.
    • If your filename is too long, you might encounter errors when performing tasks.
    • For example, if you import a file back into Inspire, the filename must not exceed 200 characters or Inspire won't import the file.
  • There is no column in the Components grid for Filename Length.
  • If you save the Components grid as a CSV, there is no column for Filename Length.

To search for topics with a long filename:

  1. Click Components.
  2. On the Components pane, in within, choose one of the following folder options.
    • Current Folder
    • Current and Subfolders
    • All Folders
    • Selected Components

  3. To open the query builder, click Advanced Search advanced_search_icon.
  4. To find topics with a filename of a certain length, complete the following substeps using the query builder to add search parameters.

    1. In the Field list, select Filename Length.
    2. From the Operator list, select a value.
    3. In Value, enter the number of characters as it relates to the Operator. For example, to find files with a length of 150 or more, you could choose an Operator of >= (greater than or equal to) and enter a value of 150.
  5. Optionally, you can add more parameters in the query builder:
    1. Click Add add_clause to add another search parameter.
    2. Click Remove remove_clause to remove a search parameter.
    3. If you have multiple parameters in the query, choose the appropriate criteria from the And/Or list.
    4. To group search parameters, select the checkboxes for two or more consecutive parameters and click Group selected clauses.
    5. To ungroup search parameters, click Ungroup clauses ungroup_clauses.
  6. Verify the search parameters for your query and then click Search search_button.

    Results: A list of components that match the search parameters appears.

  7. To save the list of components that match the search as a CSV file, click Save as CSV ExportCSV.