# Plex's Multi File naming is inconsistent with Single File naming rules **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Suggestions\ **Tags:** library-management\ **Created:** [April 19, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495 "2023-04-19T23:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/1 "2023-04-19T23:58:40Z")
I consistently forget that for multi file movies the part of the filename between square brackets is **not ignored** … the entire filename has to be **exactly** the same in order for Plex to see them as “Parts” of the same movie. This would be no issue if we all just named our files with the title and date. However this is not always true. Plex’s new naming conventions allow us to add “Optional” movie information, that Plex will ignore, between square brackets. I use FileBot to rename movies and movie parts. Among other metadata I add the length to each filename in square brackets. Inevitably the lengths of each part of a multipart movie will be different and of course this prevents Plex from seeing those files as movie parts. Please modify Plex to ignore text between square brackets for multi file movies… those that end in - pt1, pt2, etc.. Example: ```auto /Movies /The Power Principle (2012) {tmdb-277536} The Power Principle (2012) [NR][1∶38][Doc][4∶3][EN][480p][x264][SDR][AAC2.0] - CD1 The Power Principle (2012) [NR][1∶10][Doc][4∶3][EN][480p][x264][SDR][AAC2.0] - CD2 The Power Principle (2012) [NR][1∶35][Doc][4∶3][EN][480p][x264][SDR][AAC2.0] - CD3 ``` These files will not be seen by Plex as a Multi File movie, rather as three versions of the same movie. ## Movies Split Across Multiple Files > Movies that are split into several files (e.g. pt1, pt2), can be played back as a single item (in most, but not all, players) if named correctly. The split parts must be placed inside their own folder, named as usual for the movie. Name the files as follows: > > - /Movies/MovieName (release year)/MovieName (release year) – Split\_Name.ext > > Where `Split_Name` is one of the following: > > - cdX > - discX > - diskX > - dvdX > - partX > - ptX > > …and you replace `X` with the appropriate number (cd1, cd2, etc.). > > ```auto > /Movies > /The Dark Knight (2008) > The Dark Knight (2008) - pt1.mp4 > The Dark Knight (2008) - pt2.mp4 > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![JaysPlex](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jaysplex/32/281767_2.png) [@JaysPlex](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JaysPlex)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/2 "2023-04-20T00:11:25Z")
I’ve seen the use of multiple square brackets in the file name cause problems in other areas. I’m not sure if this is actually supported or not. I don’t see any example of that in the support article Try the same files with just one set and see if it works The Power Principle (2012) [NR 1∶38 Doc 4∶3 EN 480p x264 SDR AAC2.0] I would also try The Power Principle (2012) – cd1 [file info] Is “CD or PT” case sensitive? ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:29am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/3 "2023-04-20T00:29:11Z")
Jay, From three years ago > [@New Plex Agent: Release dates are now all Year-January-01 (Known issue)](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-plex-agent-release-dates-are-now-all-year-january-01-known-issue/616134/11): > > Here’s some of the “inside scoop” stuff which is about to show up in the documentation slight_smile A. The new augmented naming syntax for movies, where the new additions are optional `Name (Year) {attribute: value} [Optional invisible info] ( ) - Parenthesis for the year – per existing [] - Brackets for all optional (and invisible) data – per existing { } - Braces to delineate the new optional attributes: imdb, tmdb, thetvdb, etc B. - Granularity of movie settings be set on … > [@New Plex Media Server movie scanner and agent preview](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-plex-media-server-movie-scanner-and-agent-preview/593269/524): > > @Trust_The_Process I think that might be how the old/current Python agent works. Our new native agent has similar logic but it has some vast improvements in parsing out the movie name and year regardless of having things in []. Either way, we don’t ignore IMDB or TMDB ID when in brackets or parenthesis as mentioned in my previous post. [On the current naming page](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/) > - Many of our naming instructions mention having `Optional_Info` at the end of the file name. As the label suggests, it’s optional, but many people like to use it for things such as an episode title. Such optional info is ignored by Plex when matching content with legacy agents, but it is used in the Plex TV Series agent to give a hint for matching. If you want info to be ignored put the optional info in brackets. e.g. `/Band of Brothers (2001) - s01e01 - Currahee [1080p Bluray].mkv` I do edit the names to make them match, which works fine. However, I always forget that it’s an issue when multi part movies pop up, because it’s inconsistent with Plex’s Movie and TV naming conventions. I have not had a single issue related to using square brackets in my file names in years. ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/4 "2023-04-20T05:19:17Z")
So… does placing all the additional info in a single set of square brackets fix this for you? The messages I’ve been reading in the forum have been rather consistent that the naming schema refers to 1 set of brackets… not any number of bracket sets… ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:23am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/5 "2023-04-20T05:23:01Z")
Hey Tom, I was informed through the forum that it was ok to have multiple sets of brackets, they would all be ignored. I have had no issues at all. I will check whether using one set makes a difference… 🕟 Nope makes no difference. As soon as I change anything between those square brackets they are no longer seen as part of whole they are seen as versions of a movie. ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:35am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/6 "2023-04-20T05:35:44Z")
Side note: ever tried to employ something like this: [MediaInfo](https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo) ? I think it’s better than trying to hamfist everything into the file name. ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/7 "2023-04-20T05:45:34Z")
Hi Otto, I do have, use, and support MediaInfo, but for so many titles this is a way for me to see in an instant what a file is and allows me to find and sort by filename. So much more flexibility. Sounds like you’re not a fan of my system? ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/8 "2023-04-20T05:52:48Z")
Not really. I find it looks ugly. But that is just my personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/9 "2023-04-25T17:35:56Z")
As long as we’re being subjective… focusing on looks is a side discussion. We prioritize function over looks. For one, when checking duplicates the Plex info pane shows straight away what’s what, and I can delete the duplicate that doesn’t have the quality I want. Another benefit, as mentioned before, I can easily search using Finder instead of Terminal for files that have certain qualities. ---
**Author:** ![BigWheel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/bigwheel/32/78783_2.png) [@BigWheel](https://forums.plex.tv/u/BigWheel)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/10 "2023-04-25T17:52:23Z")
“Matching” to a particular movie and deciding if something is multiple parts are two different things. ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 6:06pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/11 "2023-04-25T18:06:27Z")
I agree with that AND I would like to discuss why Plex purposefully chose to include strings between square brackets to be considered when looking at movie parts? What is the tradeoff if we don’t do that? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![John\_001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/john_001/32/279863_2.png) [@John\_001](https://forums.plex.tv/u/John_001)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/12 "2023-05-05T16:49:23Z")
@BigWheel Please reply to my question… thank you ---
**Author:** ![BigWheel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/bigwheel/32/78783_2.png) [@BigWheel](https://forums.plex.tv/u/BigWheel)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexs-multi-file-naming-is-inconsistent-with-single-file-naming-rules/838495/14 "2023-05-08T23:41:22Z")
Sorry. I when i saw this originally i didn[t realize it was a feature request and thought you were reporting a bug