How to Batch Rename Files on a Mac

Lee Stanton September 22, 2022

Are you doing some file housekeeping and need to rename a bunch of files? Well, you’re in the right place. We’re going to teach you how to do this automatically on your Mac.

In this article, we’ll take you through the steps to batch rename your files without the need to install a third-party tool. Plus, we’ve provided the steps for common how-to questions related to this topic.

How to Batch Rename Files on a Mac?

This method will work using any file type, as long as all the file types are the same:

From the dock, click on Finder.
Find the files to rename.
Hold down Shift and select the files.
From the Finder window, select Action.
Click on Rename (number) Items…
At the drop-down menu, from the set of rename tools, select Format.
Choose a format for the structure you want:
- Name and Date
- Name and Index
- Name and Counter
At Custom Format, add a name for the batch of files.
Type in a Starting number; it can start from any number. Once you’re done, click Rename.

How to Batch Rename Files on Mac With Automator?

Before starting, have a folder with all the files to rename saved to the desktop. To batch rename your files using Mac Automator:

Select Finder and Applications folder, then click on the Automator app.
Select Folder Action and confirm with Choose.
In the first column on the left, select Files & Folders.
From the middle column, double-click on Rename Finder Items.
A pop-up box will appear, essentially asking if you wish to include the original files with the original names after renaming. Select do not add if you prefer not to keep them.
In the Rename Finder Items window, from the first drop-down menu, select Make Sequential.
Check the radio button next to new name and enter the new name for your files.
From your desktop or in Finder, drag the folder containing all your files into the pane.
Then click the play button.

How to Batch Rename File Extensions on Mac?

To batch rename file extensions using Mac:

Open Finder.
Locate the files to rename.
Hold down the Shift to select the files.
From the Finder window, click on the cog icon (Action button) or right-click on the selected files to access the menu.
Under “Get Info” and above “Compress Items”, select Rename…
From the Rename toolbar, select Format.
Now select the Name Format for renaming your files. Choose from:
- Name and Index
- Name and Counter
- Name and Date
Enter the new name to be included in all selected files into the Name Format box.
Enter a number in the Start numbers at box; the number can start from any number.
Select Rename.

Additional FAQs

Batch Renaming Your Files in a Few Clicks

What Is the Fastest Way to Rename a File on Mac?

Here is the fastest way to rename a single file using Mac:

1. Select the file you wish to rename.

2. Hit the Enter key. The current file name will be highlighted.

3. Type in the new file name, then hit Enter again.

How Do You Rename Multiple Photos on a Mac?

Here are two ways to rename multiple photos on Mac using Finder:

1. In Finder, select all the photos you need to rename, then right-click on them.

2. Choose Rename (number) items on the menu. The rename window will appear with options for you to choose from:

· Search and replace words or numbers,

· Add text to all the file names, or

· Reformat the file names entirely and

· Choice of how to number the files.

3. After you’ve entered a new format and your desired settings, select Rename.

Before starting, have a folder with all the photos you wish to rename saved to your desktop. To batch rename your photos using Mac Automator:

1. Select Finder and Applications folder, then click on the Automator app.

2. Select Folder Action and confirm with Choose.

3. In the first column on the left select Files & Folders.

4. From the middle column, double-click on Rename Finder Items.

5. A pop-up box will appear, essentially asking if you wish to include the original files with the original names after renaming. Select do not add if you prefer not to keep them.

6. In the Rename Finder Items window, from the first drop-down menu, select Make Sequential.

7. Check the radio button next to new name and enter the new name for your files.

8. From your desktop or in Finder, drag the folder containing all your photos into the pane.

9. Then click the play button.

How Do You Rename a Folder on a Mac?

Here we’ll show you two ways to rename a folder using your Mac.

1. Find the folder you wish to rename.

2. Click on the folder, then left-click on it.

3. The current name of the folder is highlighted. Start typing the new name or select the words you wish to replace.

4. When complete, hit Enter.

To rename multiple folders:

1. Find the folders you wish to rename.

2. To highlight them, click once on the first folder, then hold down the Shift key and click once on the last folder if the folders are in a particular sequence. If they’re not in a particular sequence, hold down the Command key whilst clicking on the folders you wish to rename.

3. To get the option to rename, right-click on the highlighted folders.

4. Choose Rename (number) items from the drop-down menu.

5. Type the file name you wish to replace in the Find field of the pop-up box.

6. Then, type the replacement file name in the Replace with text field.

7. Choose Rename.

Today, our computers and laptops include built-in features and tools designed to help us out. Imagine having to rename a load of files one by one. Not only would this be extremely tedious, but you could make a mistake and cause repetitive strain injury.

Now that we’ve shown you various ways to get your files and folders renamed quickly, we’d like to know what methods you’ve used. Were you happy with the results? Let us know in the comments section below.