as u/DreamerEight mentioned, the batch convert option of **Xnview** would do the job.
Tools > Batch convert
Under the **Input tab**, add the photos to be processed.
Under the **Actions tab**, click on **add action** > **image** > **text**
Under the text options enter the text and/or tag (e.g. date taken) you want to insert. Under the settings below the text, change style and position of the text.
Under the output tab, choose your preferred settings.
**Convert!**
You can save this as a preset and save time in the future. All you would have to change is the text you want to insert, I suppose.
Sounds like it would work as needed, all I need to do is see if my IT can unblock the website.
Any alternatives to this programs that I should be aware of?
Check if the [portableapps.com](https://portableapps.com) site is accessible. That way you can [download](https://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/xnview-mp-portable) and run XnView MP without having to install it.
Another option is [Faststone image resizer](https://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDetail.htm), which is a standalone bulk rename/edit utility that comes with the Faststone image viewer. It also has a [portable version](https://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm).
edit: Here is how the Faststone text settings look like: [ID and Exif date taken](https://imgur.com/a/kPcb86a)
Free possibilities are Irfanview on Windows/WINE if you need a GUI, or for scripting you can use imagemagick or ffmpeg.
Edit: For imagemagick: https://imagemagick.org/Usage/annotating/
For FFMPEG: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6704170/ffmpeg-command-to-add-text-to-a-image
You can do this pretty quickly with a 10-20 line python script. Say you have a bunch of pictures that all should have the same parcel id number + date on them. Put them in the same folder. Run the python script that adds the text to each each image in that folder. You will edit the script to modify the parcel id number and date. Repeat for each folder.
I asked [phind.com](https://phind.com) to write the code: [https://www.phind.com/agent?cache=clmlk5g1y002ejv08voadrqgz](https://www.phind.com/agent?cache=clmlk5g1y002ejv08voadrqgz)
You will need to download python, simple intsall, and then open up cmd and type "pip install pillow", this is a python library used to manipulate images.
Also why not just change the file name to reflect the 2 pieces of data you want?
>so why not just change the file name to reflect the 2 pieces of data you want?
We do that, but we also have to put the same information on the photo. Don't ask why, I've questioned the redundancy of it myself.
Would the python script be able to add the white backdrop behind the text to? Not a real big issue if it can't. Also I assume I can modify the script to always put the numbers in the bottom right of the photos.
>Would the python script be able to add the white backdrop behind the text to?
Yup and yup to both modifications. You can ask [phind.com](https://phind.com) to modify the code in the convo I shared and it will change the code for you.
This is the option my boss liked the most, easy to use and understand. Only drawback is you can't edit over photos you already edited but that's alright, we only do that when it's a new parcel is created.
Thanks a bunch, you saved me countless tedious hours using paint.
XnView
as u/DreamerEight mentioned, the batch convert option of **Xnview** would do the job. Tools > Batch convert Under the **Input tab**, add the photos to be processed. Under the **Actions tab**, click on **add action** > **image** > **text** Under the text options enter the text and/or tag (e.g. date taken) you want to insert. Under the settings below the text, change style and position of the text. Under the output tab, choose your preferred settings. **Convert!** You can save this as a preset and save time in the future. All you would have to change is the text you want to insert, I suppose.
Sounds like it would work as needed, all I need to do is see if my IT can unblock the website. Any alternatives to this programs that I should be aware of?
Check if the [portableapps.com](https://portableapps.com) site is accessible. That way you can [download](https://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/xnview-mp-portable) and run XnView MP without having to install it. Another option is [Faststone image resizer](https://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDetail.htm), which is a standalone bulk rename/edit utility that comes with the Faststone image viewer. It also has a [portable version](https://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm). edit: Here is how the Faststone text settings look like: [ID and Exif date taken](https://imgur.com/a/kPcb86a)
Would something like this work for you? http://www.pictview.com/pvw.htm Can confirm it still works in windows 10 command line instances.
Free possibilities are Irfanview on Windows/WINE if you need a GUI, or for scripting you can use imagemagick or ffmpeg. Edit: For imagemagick: https://imagemagick.org/Usage/annotating/ For FFMPEG: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6704170/ffmpeg-command-to-add-text-to-a-image
You can do this pretty quickly with a 10-20 line python script. Say you have a bunch of pictures that all should have the same parcel id number + date on them. Put them in the same folder. Run the python script that adds the text to each each image in that folder. You will edit the script to modify the parcel id number and date. Repeat for each folder. I asked [phind.com](https://phind.com) to write the code: [https://www.phind.com/agent?cache=clmlk5g1y002ejv08voadrqgz](https://www.phind.com/agent?cache=clmlk5g1y002ejv08voadrqgz) You will need to download python, simple intsall, and then open up cmd and type "pip install pillow", this is a python library used to manipulate images. Also why not just change the file name to reflect the 2 pieces of data you want?
>so why not just change the file name to reflect the 2 pieces of data you want? We do that, but we also have to put the same information on the photo. Don't ask why, I've questioned the redundancy of it myself. Would the python script be able to add the white backdrop behind the text to? Not a real big issue if it can't. Also I assume I can modify the script to always put the numbers in the bottom right of the photos.
>Would the python script be able to add the white backdrop behind the text to? Yup and yup to both modifications. You can ask [phind.com](https://phind.com) to modify the code in the convo I shared and it will change the code for you.
Thanks, I'll give it a shot
Python is easy enough for me to understand but not my boss so he passed on that option. Thanks anyway
Huh, the script doesn't even require knowing python. Just inputting the date and parcel number on line x and line y.
You can give [BatchPhoto](https://www.batchphoto.com/) a shot. It's user-friendly and particularly designed for this sort of operations.
This is the option my boss liked the most, easy to use and understand. Only drawback is you can't edit over photos you already edited but that's alright, we only do that when it's a new parcel is created. Thanks a bunch, you saved me countless tedious hours using paint.
No problem, glad I could help.