How to change a word across multiple files in a directory using find and sed

Ron — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 20:00:35 +0000

If you need to replace or update a word in multiple files within a directory, you can use command-line tools like find and sed to accomplish the task efficiently. Below is a method that demonstrates how to locate files, extract specific parts of their names, and make the desired changes.

Step-by-Step Command Explanation.


find ./directory -type f -name "*.filename.yml" -exec sh -c '

 for file; do

   # Extract the base name of the file without the extension
   what_you_want_to_change_to=$(basename "$file" .filename.yml)

   # Use sed to add a new line containing the replacement word
   sed -i "/name: $what_you_want_to_change_to/a replaces: '\''replace_me'\''" "$file"

 done

' sh {} +

Key Components of the Command:

find ./directory: Searches within the specified directory.

-type f: Targets only files (ignores directories).

-name "*.filename.yml": Filters files based on their extension or pattern.

$(basename "$file" .filename.yml): Extracts the file name without its extension.

sed -i: Edits the files in place, adding the new content after the matched line.

replaces: '\''replace_me'\'': Appends a line in the format replaces: 'replace_me'.

Example Use Case
Suppose you have several .yml files, each containing a line like name: example. This script finds each file, extracts the file name, and appends a new line with a replacement value.

The final result in each file will look like this:
name: example
replaces: 'replace_me'

Why Use find and sed?
This method is efficient for batch processing multiple files and eliminates the need for manual editing. By combining find, a shell script, and sed, you gain:

Speed: Processes hundreds of files in seconds.
Precision: Only modifies files matching your criteria.
Scalability: Easily adaptable to different patterns and use cases.

DEV Community: Ron

How to change a word across multiple files in a directory using find and sed