Over time, the number of files that occupy our computers increases considerably, just think of how many times you transfer, for example, photos from your smartphone to your PC or if you have numerous songs or videos in digital format. This is why it is important to organize and rename files so that they can be easily found.
However, renaming tens or hundreds of similar files one at a time can take forever. Fortunately, however, there are several ways that, in a few simple steps, will help you rename files in batches to save a lot of time.
In this guide, therefore, I’ll show you how to rename a series of files at once, giving documents specific and sequential names. All this will be possible both through a “standard” tool already present in Windows and macOS, and by installing third-party software. There are also tools that you can use for this purpose even on smartphones and tablets: read on to find out more!
Index
- How to Rename a File Set – Windows 10
- File Explorer
- Bulk Rename Utility
- How to rename a batch of files: Mac
- Finder
- Renamer
- How to rename a batch of files: Android
- X-plore File Manager
- Bulk Rename & Group
- How to rename a batch of files: iPhone and iPad
- Quick Commands
How to Rename a File Set – Windows 10
Are you eager to find out how to rename a batch of files on Windows 10 so that your digital document collection is perfectly organized? Then continue reading the next paragraphs where I will tell you about the programs suitable for the purpose.
File Explorer
You can quickly and easily rename your files in batches using the built- in File Explorer feature in Windows 10 (also applies to Windows 11 ).
To do this, first of all, open File Explorer , using the folder icon on the taskbar and navigate to the location that contains the files you are interested in.
At this point, select the files you want to rename, either individually by clicking on them while holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, or by selecting all files using the Ctrl + A combination . Alternatively, you can click on Select all in the top left. In this regard, my guide on how to select multiple files may be useful .
Once you have selected the files to rename, right-click on the first of the highlighted files and, from the context menu, choose the Rename item .
Type in the new file name, bearing in mind that it will be applied to each file, and press the Enter key . All files will be renamed using the file name of your choice + the sequential number in brackets as the format (e.g. image (1) .jpg , image (2) .jpg , image (3) .jpg etc.).
Bulk Rename Utility
Bulk Rename Utility is one of the most powerful software to rename a series of files or folders quickly despite the somewhat spartan interface. With its 13 tools, Bulk Rename Utility is definitely an appropriate program for both experienced users and those with simpler needs. The software is free as long as it is used for personal and non-commercial use.
To download the software, go to the official website and click on Free Download and then on Install Bulk Rename Utility . At the end of the download, open the .exe file obtained and click on the Run and Yes buttons to start the installation. Then accept the conditions of use of the program, putting the check mark next to the item I accept the agreement , and click on Next , four consecutive times and then on Install to start the installation. Then click on Finish to automatically start the program.
The first thing to do is, using the list in the top right column, go to the folder where the documents to be renamed are included, to make them appear in the File Explorer window. In the first column Name there is the file with the original name while in the second column New Name instead the preview of the renamed file.
Bulk Rename Utility consists of 13 sections (located at the bottom) with which you can perform as many operations. For example, you can specify a word or character within the file name to be replaced with another word, remove the entire name, change the name to all uppercase or all lowercase, or with only capital letters.
It is also possible to move one or more characters to the beginning or to the end, add the creation or modification date within the file name, act on file extensions (eg making all characters uppercase or lowercase) and more.
Select all the files, using the combination Ctrl + A and, moving to the Name section (2) , in the drop-down menu located next to Name, choose the item Remove . In the text field below type the new file name. At this point in the window at the top you will see the documents appear with the new name, however to proceed with the renaming of the files you need to make them sequential.
To do this, move to the Numbering section (10) and in the Mode menu select Suffix if you want to add the number at the end of the file, you can also possibly insert a separator between name and number, perhaps adding a _ (underscore) in the field Sep. _
If you are satisfied with how your files will be renamed (as mentioned before, the preview is viewable in the New Name column ), you can click the Rename button at the bottom right . Click OK in the process confirmation window and, when completed, click OK again to close the window. At this point, by going to the folder where your files are contained, you will see that they have all been correctly processed and therefore ready for archiving.
How to rename a batch of files: Mac
If, on the other hand, you are using an Apple computer and are wondering how to rename a series of files on Mac, here are some solutions that can help you.
Finder
MacOS, as well as Windows, includes the ability to rename a series of files automatically using the Rename tool built into the Finder .
Open a Finder window (the smiling face attached to the Dock bar) and select the files you want to rename by clicking on the file and holding down the Command key or in the top menu select Edit> Select All (or cmd + a ). If you need more guidance, feel free to read my guide on how to select everything on Mac .
With the files selected, right-click on the highlighted files and, from the context menu, choose the Rename… item . At this point, use the dialog box that appeared to rename the files, for example by replacing a text or adding a word or character. Once complete, click Rename to complete the process.
Renamer
Renamer will allow you to batch rename a large number of files at a time in a quick and intuitive way. The user interface is well cared for and the ways to rename files are innumerable. The application is paid, at a cost of 19.99 euros, but is also included in Setapp , a subscription service that allows you to access many paid applications for macOS in exchange for a small monthly / annual fee (with a small surcharge also includes apps for iOS / iPadOS). The first 14 days are free with no renewal obligation. For more information, feel free to check out my guide on how Setapp works .
That said, renaming a series of files with Renamer is very simple: once opened, drag the files into the program window and arrange them in the order you prefer. Then, in the left column, select Find and Replace if you want to find a name or a character and replace it with another word, or Number to give a sequential numerical order to the file list.
In the Numbering field choose the number format and in Insert text write the new file name. You will see the preview changes appear in the New Name column on the right. Once you have finished the configuration, click on the triangle at the top and, in a few moments, the process will be finished and the files will be renamed.
Renamer is also a powerful tool for renaming entire collections of MP3 files or images. You can, in fact, catalog the songs by archiving them and renaming them by title, album and artist, or rename photo galleries by adding date and time, thanks to EXIF support .
How to rename a batch of files: Android
If you need to rename and keep your files organized on your Android device, here are some solutions that can be right for you.
X-plore File Manager
X-plore File Manager is one of the best Android file management apps that will allow you to sort, move and tag even thousands of files in seconds. It is available on the Play Store and alternative stores and can be used for free.
After downloading the app , start it and allow it to access photos, multimedia content and files on the device by tapping the Allow item , then tap Internal memory and navigate to the folder that contains the files you want to rename.
Select all the files you want to rename by tapping the button on the right and, by long pressing on any of the files, select Rename . On the Batch Rename screen , tap the pencil icon next to Name , type a name that will be used for all files and press OK and Rename : your files will be renamed with a sequential number added to the name.
Bulk Rename & Group
Bulk Rename & Group is a fully customizable tool to rename multiple files and folders on your device quickly and easily. The app is free, with the presence of minimally invasive ads, and is available on the Play Store and alternative stores .
After downloading and installing the app , open it and allow it to access photos, multimedia content and files on your device by tapping the Allow item .
Then tap on Device Storage and navigate to the folder where the files to be renamed are located. Tap Select All or select the files individually and press the right down arrow.
In the Action screen , choose the configuration that best suits you among the many available, for example you can choose a new name , add a prefix , a suffix , a date or a sequential number with a separator character, etc. For each option chosen, you will need to activate the box next to it.
Once satisfied with the result, tap again on the arrow to the right , select whether to replace the files ( Replace files ) or create a copy ( Copy files ), select the output folder and press the Start and OK buttons : that’s it !
How to rename a batch of files: iPhone and iPad
If you want to know more about how to rename a series of files on iPhone and iPad , then here is a great solution suitable for the purpose.
Quick Commands
If you’re using an Apple device, you’ll be pleased to know that you can batch rename multiple files with a small script to use in the free Quick Commands application , which is pre-installed on all the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS (but still available on the App Store ).
To use this, open Safari and visit this web page . Next, click on the Get Quick Commands button and then on the item
- Add quick command
.
Once this is done, start the Quick Commands app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the Rename Files tab and select the folder containing the files to be batch renamed (you must have previously collected the files in the same folder using the default app File ). Select, therefore, the elements of your interest by tapping on them, or tap Select all (to select them all) and press Open , at the top right.
In the menu that appeared, choose whether to add one or more characters at the end of the file name ( append ), whether to add a suffix instead ( prepend ) or whether to replace part or all of the name directly ( replace ); then fill in the text box and press Finish . Finally, choose whether to delete the original files or keep a copy and in a few seconds your set of files will be renamed.
