# Handling of Files

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348>\
**Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [March 29, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348 "2020-03-29T19:01:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![StarlightExpress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@StarlightExpress](https://forums.plex.tv/u/StarlightExpress)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/1 "2020-03-29T19:01:03Z")

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Does Plex rename files?  
Most of mine follow a naming scheme of:

TV Series Title - S01E01 - Episode Name

But some files aren’t like this (yet).  
How does Plex handle special episodes from a series? For example, a Christmas special from series 2 - how should I rename that to make sure Plex picks it up properly?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/2 "2020-03-29T19:12:08Z")

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> [@StarlightExpress](#):
>
> Does Plex rename files?

No, Plex will not rename your files.

Have you had a read through this support document yet?

[https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/)

It contains (almost?) everything you need to know about naming TV series for Plex to automatically match them (including how to handle specials).

There’s a similar document for movies:

[https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-movie-media-files/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-movie-media-files/)

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**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/3 "2020-03-29T19:13:04Z")

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> [@StarlightExpress](#):
>
> How does Plex handle special episodes from a series? For example, a Christmas special from series 2 - how should I rename that to make sure Plex picks it up properly?

Typically you go to TVDB, look up the show and see if your special is in The Specials Season. If so it’ll have an episode name and number like:

```auto
Downton Abbey/
....Season 00/
.......Downton Abbey - S00E105 - The Nekked Episode.xxx

```

Whatever they have for your episode - name yours the same…  
and if The Nekked Episode isn’t there - you hand edit one in…  
(give ‘your’ episode a higher number than the others - give it 50 - in case more ‘legal’ specials come along later)

🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![StarlightExpress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@StarlightExpress](https://forums.plex.tv/u/StarlightExpress)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/4 "2020-03-31T15:43:52Z")

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So do specials belong in a Season 0 folder?  
Does Plex then know when to play them? (IE at the end of season 2?)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/5 "2020-03-31T15:48:42Z")

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> [@StarlightExpress](#):
>
> So do specials belong in a Season 0 folder?

Season 00 - technically - but yes.

> [@StarlightExpress](#):
>
> Does Plex then know when to play them? (IE at the end of season 2?)

IF the Special is listed at TVDB is will acquire the Air Date and Play from On Deck when it’s needed. \<—Downton Abbey Christmas Specials/etc.  
IF the Special is NOT listed - you can set that date in the editor when you’re hand editing and you can put it anywhere you want it.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/handling-of-files/564348/6 "2020-06-29T15:48:50Z")

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