Using regex to pick out every instance of zero that comes before a numerical value

Question

Using regex to pick out every instance of zero that comes before a numerical value

I am currently utilizing PowerRename, a tool that allows for regex usage to select portions of filenames for replacement. My goal is to tidy up some filenames by removing the preceding zeroes before a number in the file name (replacing them with nothing).

Below are examples of file names, corresponding patterns for matching, and previews generated by PowerRename after replacing the matched strings:

filename -> matching string -> renamed file
00000.jpg -> "0000" -> 0.jpg
00001.jpg -> "0000" -> 1.jpg
00010.jpg -> "000"  -> 10.jpg
00011.jpg -> "000"  -> 11.jpg
00100.jpg -> "00"   -> 100.jpg
00101.jpg -> "00"   -> 101.jpg
00219.jpg -> "00"   -> 219.jpg
01000.jpg -> "0"    -> 1000.jpg
12345.jpg -> ""     -> 12345.jpg
img.00002.jpg -> "0000" -> img.2.jpg

Which regex pattern should I utilize to achieve this desired outcome? I have labeled it as .NET because that's the regex documentation I was directed to while using the app.

I have experimented with different combinations but the closest match I achieved was [0]{2}, which correctly handles single-digit numbers but fails with two or more digit numbers containing multiple zeroes (20, 100, etc.)

Illustrated below is the result when using the pattern [0]{2}:

filename -> renamed file
00000.jpg -> 0.jpg
00001.jpg -> 1.jpg
00010.jpg -> 010.jpg
00011.jpg -> 011.jpg
00100.jpg -> 1.jpg
00101.jpg -> 101.jpg
00219.jpg -> 219.jpg
01000.jpg -> 010.jpg
12345.jpg -> 12345.jpg
image.00002.jpg -> image.2.jpg

I also tested [^0][0-9]*, which omits zeroes and only functions well if the filename (excluding extension) comprises solely of numbers:

filename -> renamed file
00000.jpg -> 00000
00001.jpg -> 0000
00010.jpg -> 000
00011.jpg -> 000
00100.jpg -> 00
00101.jpg -> 00
00219.jpg -> 00
01000.jpg -> 0
12345.jpg ->
image.00002.jpg ->

javascript regex windows

Answer 1

Answer №1

To avoid partial matches, you can utilize a word boundary and match zero or more times followed by a digit using a lookahead assertion:

\b0+(?=[0-9])

Check out a demo on regex101.

In the case of the sample data, you could also consider using \B at the end in place of a lookahead assertion:

\b0+\B

Take a look at another demo on regex101.

Answer 2

To avoid partial matches, you can utilize a word boundary and match zero or more times followed by a digit using a lookahead assertion:

\b0+(?=[0-9])

Check out a demo on regex101.

In the case of the sample data, you could also consider using \B at the end in place of a lookahead assertion:

\b0+\B

Take a look at another demo on regex101.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Utilize the scan feature with the regex (?<![0-9])0+(?=[0-9]) and replace it with nothing. View it in action on Regex101: https://i.sstatic.net/CW7e8.jpg

Just a heads up, according to the documentation for PowerRename, it mentions that "PowerRename uses the ECMAScript grammar", so using .NET as a tag would be incorrect. The appropriate tag for this tool is Javascript.

EDIT In case you encounter issues with lookarounds, an alternative approach is to include the delimiters as capture groups in the regex and then restore them during the replacement process, such as:

(^|\D)0+(\d)

For restoration, use $1$2 to retrieve the two capture groups effectively.

You may need to adjust the first capture group to accommodate scenarios where filenames start right at the beginning (which your example does not demonstrate).

Answer 4

Utilize the scan feature with the regex (?<![0-9])0+(?=[0-9]) and replace it with nothing. View it in action on Regex101: https://i.sstatic.net/CW7e8.jpg

Just a heads up, according to the documentation for PowerRename, it mentions that "PowerRename uses the ECMAScript grammar", so using .NET as a tag would be incorrect. The appropriate tag for this tool is Javascript.

EDIT In case you encounter issues with lookarounds, an alternative approach is to include the delimiters as capture groups in the regex and then restore them during the replacement process, such as:

(^|\D)0+(\d)

For restoration, use $1$2 to retrieve the two capture groups effectively.

You may need to adjust the first capture group to accommodate scenarios where filenames start right at the beginning (which your example does not demonstrate).

Using regex to pick out every instance of zero that comes before a numerical value

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

Checking for duplicate entries in an array created with the Angular form builder

Codeigniter dropdown sending incorrect value to controller

Tips on maximizing efficiency in number game coding

Steps to remove a scrollbar from a fullscreen slider

Sinon respects my intern functions during testing in ExpressJS

Postback fails to trigger following JavaScript onchange event

What is the process for integrating custom event information stored in the {} property of a highchart dataset into highcharts-vue?

Converting JavaScript code from Jade into EJS framework

Error in Vue.js 2 Composition API: Trying to access 'length' property of undefined object

What specific version is indicated by the @next tag for npm packages?

What is the best way to import information from a CSV or Excel file directly into my program?

What is causing this particular area to remain unaffected by the blur effect?

Building a JavaScript application with Node.js and MySQL to seamlessly interact with both offline and online databases

Plot data points from geojson onto a leaflet map using markers

Is it possible for a gradient to maintain the original width of the element to which it is added?

Retrieving data from getServerSideProps and utilizing it inside Layout component in Next.js

Launch the game within the gaming application

Experimenting with a Jest test on an express middleware

Creating a Star Rating system with jQuery using a dropdown menu for multiple selections

Incorporate a Flask variable into a webpage seamlessly without refreshing the page