find_and_replace.py

# Useful find-and-replace script for replacing text in multiple files
# originally from https://umatechnology.org/find-and-replace-text-in-multiple-files-in-bulk-on-windows-11-10/

import os


# Function to search and replace text in files
def find_and_replace(dir_path, file_extension, find_text, replace_text):
    replace_count = 0
    for foldername, subfolders, filenames in os.walk(dir_path):
        print(f'Found {len(filenames)} files...')
        for filename in filenames:
            if filename.endswith(file_extension):  # You can specify other files types
                file_path = os.path.join(foldername, filename)
                try:
                    with open(file_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
                        file_contents = file.read()
                        replace_count += file_contents.count(find_text)
                        new_contents = file_contents.replace(find_text, replace_text)
                    with open(file_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as file:
                        file.write(new_contents)
                except Exception as e:
                    print(f'[ERROR] Skipped ({file_path}) because of exception:\n{e}\nMoving on...')
    print(f'Complete!\nReplaced {replace_count} occurances!')

# Usage
dir_path = '/home/superuser/Documents/GitHub/perspector.github.io'
file_extension = ".html"
find_text = '<p>Copyright &copy; 2023 - 2025 by Benjamin Chase</p>'
replace_text = '<p>Copyright &copy; 2023 - 2026 by Benjamin Chase</p>'
find_and_replace(dir_path, file_extension, find_text, replace_text)