I have a folder containing about 1300 files.  I need to move various
files into subdirectories.  The files are NOT in any order.

I have a list in ASCII text (and in Excel) of each group of files that
I want to move.  There are about 200 to 400 files in each list.

How can I move them en masse?

Using the Windows Explorer Search option, you can add multiple
filenames in the search box, but there is (apparently) a character
limitation that prevents me from choosing more that about 10 files at
a time.

The ideal solution would not use anything more than Windows
programming.  The next ideal solution would be a free download.  The
least ideal solution would be a purchased program.

Hi liner-ga,

Thanks for accepting my proposed solution:

You could edit the file lists into batch files and then run them.  For
example, if you had a line specifying file x.txt and you knew you
wanted it in directory y, you could change the line
 
x.txt 
 
to 
 
move x.txt y 
 
This should not be too difficult with a decent text editor.

And "don't forget the ../ for the current file location in the
move command.  Then we do not have the extended file name limitation."
 (Thanks for your help!)

There are probably file utilities that can do this too, but if you can
handle the batch file approach, that is probably easier than using
another program.

If you need any further help with this, please ask for a
clarification.


Search strategy:

No search, just experience.

--efn

At times the old solutions work as well as the new ones.  Combining
"search and replace" in a word processor along with batch file
techniques has proven extremely easy.

(Incidentally, my comment about ..\ should have been .\ to refer to
the present directory.  I am giving only 4 stars because you missed it
also.  I, to be honest, did not notice it until I tried it and
wondered where my file had gone.)

And a comment to a couple of the commenters.  I stated that the files
were in absolutely no order, so I would have had to click while
watching a list, which lends itself to all sorts of errors.  But
thanks for the suggestions.

Did you try selecting the files with ctrl + mouse click?

You could edit the file lists into batch files and then run them.  For
example, if you had a line specifying file x.txt and you knew you
wanted it in directory y, you could change the line

x.txt

to

move x.txt y

This should not be too difficult with a decent text editor.

Ah, DOS!!!

I forgot you were still around, and work very well thank you.

And yes, don't forget the ../ for the current file location in the
move command.  Then we do not have the extended file name limitation.

EFN-GA:  Claim your prize.  Put it into the answer box.

If anybody else has a more elegant concept, comment away.  I will open
another question for you.

for singular and mutiple files that's not in order (if there's gap
between them), press Ctrl and click mouse left on the wanted files. 
hold Ctrl as long as you want, the release Ctrl and use mouse right to
cut and paste.

for mutiple files in a row, either hold Ctrl and drag a box with ur
mouse or (my preferred way) press Shift and use up/down/left/right
arrow to choose.  this method is VERY fast when u get used to it.