- Rename for Mac performs its functions well with only a few issues along the way. If you don't mind figuring it out on your own and have lots of files to rename, this is a decent choice.
- Advanced Renamer by Hulubulu Software is an application that can help you rename multiple files and folders at once using various methods. Even though there is no version of Advanced Renamer for Mac available on the market, there are other tools that can take its place.
- Rename X features the undo of renaming any file in your history! Rename X is updated regularly based on user input. Important note for users of the old version of the Rename app from the early 2010’s! Delete the old version before installing the new Rename X app from the Mac App Store.
Until macOS Yosemite, if you wanted to rename multiple files on a Mac simultaneously, you either had to create an Automator action or use a third-party app. Now, however, you can do it from right within the Finder.
There are a number of different options for renaming files, so before we show you how to do it, let’s take a closer look at those.
It is possible to rename spaces using an app called Spaces Renamer. It is available on GitHub for free. I am unsure if it can change the 'default' name of desktops as you requested, but it can customize the name of desktops you already have. Please check the below screenshots for an example. The compressed view after pressing F3. Tag&Rename by Softpointer Inc. Is a piece of software that can edit the tags of various types of music files and rename them in no time. Sadly, Tag&Rename for Mac has not been released yet, but there are several alternative Mac apps that will help you tag or rename your audio files on Mac.
1. Replace text
This is the simplest way to rename files. You search for text in the existing name and replace it with the text you specify. It’s perfect for situations where you have files with names that all have the same text string, say a name or a month, and you need to change that, maybe because it’s misspelled.
2. Add text
This is exactly as it sounds, you leave the existing name intact but add text before or after it.
3. Format
As its name suggests, this one allows renaming the files based on a format you specify. Then you add the text to be used in the name and the files are changed to include that text and one of the following three parameters:
- Counter
- Index
- Date
Once you’ve chosen the text you want to use in the name and the parameter you want to include, you can specify which goes first.
Download Renamer, a handy utility that renames and organizes multiple files on your Mac. Lightning-fast.
Free on SetappHow to batch rename files on Mac
1. Open a new Finder window, navigate to the first file you want to rename, and select it.
2. If the other files you want to rename are next to it in the Finder window, press Shift and click on them. If they are not all next to each other, use Command instead of Shift.
3. With all the files to be renamed selected, do one of the following:
- Click the cog icon in the Finder window’s toolbar and choose Rename xx items, where ‘xx’ is the number of files you’ve selected or
- Right-click or Ctrl-click on the selected files and choose Rename xx items from the contextual menu.
4. From the menu at the top of the window that drops down, choose Replace Text, Add Text, or Format.
5. Fill in the boxes in the next window and choose the options you need from the menus.
6. Click Rename.
All the files you selected will be renamed according to the scheme you created when you made the selections in steps 4 and 5. If they don’t change in the way you expected, or you change your mind, press Command-Z to undo the process and give the files back their previous names.
If you prefer to point and click instead of using keyboard shortcuts, choose Edit from the Finder’s menu bar and select Undo Rename.
If you need a combination of batch renaming and file organization, there’s a dedicated tool for that — Renamer. Apart from giving your files the new names, Renamer allows you to view live previews of the renamed files, organize songs by album/artist/title, cleverly number files, and even edit file extensions.
How to rename a file on Mac
The above method is designed for renaming multiple files simultaneously. If you only need to rename one file, there are easier ways.
- Select the file in the Finder, then click and hold on the file name until it becomes editable. Type the new name, then click anywhere else in the Finder.
- Right-click or Control-click on the file in the Finder and choose Get Info from the contextual menu. Click Rename and type the new name, then click away from the file.
- Select the file and press Command-I to open the Get Info box. Two-thirds of the way down the window, where it says Name & Extension, type the new name. Close the window.
How to rename open documents on Mac
To rename a file that’s open in an application, go to the File menu and choose Save As… then type the new name for the file in the box and press Save. In some apps, that support macOS versioning, you can rename an open file by clicking on its name in the toolbar, typing the new name, and pressing Return.
How to rename a folder on Mac
The three options above can also be used to rename a folder. It’s important to remember that there are some folders you shouldn’t rename because there are processes and applications in macOS that expect them to have their original name and won’t work properly if they can’t find the folder with that name. These include your user folder and your Documents, Movies, Pictures, and Downloads folders.
In addition, you shouldn’t rename any files or folders in your Library folder or the main macOS Library folder.
How to keep your files organized on Mac
Renaming files is a great way of getting better organized and using your Mac more efficiently. Another way to make your Mac work better for you is to get rid of files that are taking up space but that you don’t need. CleanMyMac X is perfect for that. It identifies and removes system files that aren’t needed, junk Photos and iTunes files, Mail attachments, and old and large files.
The System Junk module removes language files you don’t use, caches you no longer need, as well as log files, universal binaries, and more. Photo Junk gets rid of cache files and will offer to remove storage-hungry RAW files for you. And the iTunes cleanup tool deletes broken downloads, outdated backups, and old software updates. You can download it free here. Give it a try and find out how much space you can free up on your Mac.
Photo Junk and iTunes Junk are only available on macOS 10.14 or earlier.
As you can see, on macOS Yosemite and later, it’s very easy to batch rename files in the Finder. In older versions of macOS, if you want to rename multiple files, you’ll have to use a third-party app that’s designed for the purpose or create your own Automator action.
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When it comes to Windows vs. macOS debate, many people often nitpick on features at several levels. One of the simplest is the ease of batch renaming multiple files on Windows compared to Mac. Many people face that problem when they switch to Mac from Windows. Let me tell you that rename files in bulk on a Mac as well. It's just that the options that don't look as pretty as expected.
The Finder in macOS offers to you add text or replace anything from the existing file names. In short, you can get things done if it has to be a one-time activity. But is such a time-investing commitment worth to organize your files collection in the long run? Certainly not. That's why we'll also take a look at a paid but affordable option and a free option.
A word of caution. Apple advices you against renaming any system folders for they might cause the apps to malfunction.
Here are the two methods you can follow to batch rename several files at once on your Mac. Let's start with the cumbersome native method.
Note: We tested these solutions on macOS 11 Big Sur beta 6, and everything worked fine.Also on Guiding Tech
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Read More
Batch Rename Multiple Files at Once Using Finder on Mac
The Finder in macOS houses several features that need a bit of exploring. It's safe to assume you have the folder with several files to be renamed open in the Finder.
Step 1: Hold down the Shift key and select multiple files one by one. Alternatively, you can hold down the Shift key and choose the files using the mouse.
Step 1: Hold down the Shift key and select multiple files one by one. Alternatively, you can hold down the Shift key and choose the files using the mouse.
Step 2: With the source files selected, right-click on them and select Rename from the contextual menu.
Note: From macOS 11 Big Sur onwards, the Rename XX Items (the xx is the number of files selected) will appear as Rename.Step 3: In the Rename Finder Items window that pops up, use the first drop-down to pick Format.
Step 4: From the Name Format under it, select 'Name and Index' option. If you plan to assign a date, then pick 'Name and Date', or the 'Name and Counter' to add numbers after the name.
You can pick 'Add Text' or 'Replace Text' option, but the latter has been quite tricky, especially when you're trying to rename songs or documents.
Step 5: Next to the Custom Format is where you need to assign the exact text that you are planning to add to the images. For this guide, I used Rename Multiple Files in the box. The window will show a small preview of how the file name will appear under the Custom Format box.
Here, if you plan to assign custom value, you'll have to pick the location where you want the value to appear - before or after. For that, use the Where drop-down and pick after name or before a name. You can choose the alphabet or numbers.
Step 6: Check the Rename Finder Items window carefully to ensure you've chosen and assigned the appropriate values. Hit Rename.
Don't worry if you've made a mistake or want to edit the name. Just hit Command+Z on the keyboard.
Finder offers quite a basic option to rename files in a back and gets the job done. However, it takes a while to pick the right options, and you have to do it all the time in the different folders without employing any smart folder management app.
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Read MoreUsing Renamer App to Batch Rename Several Files on Mac
Let's check out another option to batch rename several files using the Renamer app. Here's how to rename files quickly using this app.
Step 1: Launch the Rename app.
Step 2: To start, you can drag and drop all the files you wish to rename in the Renamer app's window.
Alternatively, you can use the built-in options to specify the naming scheme you what to follow for the files. The app calls those options Renamerlet.
Step 3: Once you've dropped all the files and confirmed the new renaming scheme, hit Apply. That's it.
This app takes away the cake by showing you the new file names alongside the previous names. It always helps to verify them quickly.
The Renamer app is so convenient for re-organizing your photo collections, music, and other files. It also offers you an option to Find and Replace the names of the files on the selected storage system.
Well, you will have to shell out $19.99 to buy a single user license. The Mac App Store offers several alternatives at a similar price. However, it would be a better option to pay $9.99 for the monthly SetApp subscription to enjoy a free access to over 190 apps for macOS and iOS for that price.
Honestly, that is a way better deal than buying a single and equally expensive app with similar or advanced features.
Get Renamer AppAlso on Guiding Tech
#File Management
Click here to see our File Management articles pageBulk Renaming Is Easy
While organizing data across folders and drives, the biggest challenge is to deal with the file names. A couple of renaming apps often offer advanced features that you'll end up using, like once a year, maybe.
I use Gemini 2 and Commander One to manage and organize the files (photos, music, and documents) on the different drives. Since I already have SetApp subscription, using Renamer for free is easy and saves quite a lot of time.
Next up:Want to organize the menu bar of your Mac? Manage those icons consuming a lot of space using these amazing menu bar apps from the next link.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextTop 5 Amazing Menu Bar Apps For Your MacAlso See#macos #organization
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