The Fastest Way to Rename a File on a Mac Related: How to organize computer desktop in 5 minutes or less. One thing to note – in the Custom Format (where you type out the names of your files) I always use a trailing dash at the end so that the sequential numbers are not mushed up against the last word in the name. When you are happy with your naming convention – click Rename and all your files will be renamed.

In the bottom left hand corner of the pop up box – you will see what the file names will look like with all the different options. Custom Format: the-name-you-want-to-give-your-files.These are the selections that I make (although you can play with the options to create a naming convention that works for you): This brings up a pop up box with some renaming options. (If you forgot to highlight any files at all – you will not see this option – so make sure to select the files you want to rename before clicking the Settings icon.) In the drop down menu you will see an option called “Rename”. (However, note that OSX versions earlier than Yosemite do not have this capability.) If you are running earlier versions of OSX then it will be the gear icon.

In Mac Big Sur – this is a circle icon with 3 dots in the center. Next, click on the settings icon at the top of your Finder window.

The first thing you want to do, is use Finder to open the folder that contains all the files that you want to rename.ĭrag your cursor over these files to highlight them. How to Rename Multiple Files at Once on a Mac However, it is more meaningful to have each photo carry a descriptive title – perhaps the name of the event or the place. Your camera names those files with a generic string of numbers and letters. Why You Would Want to Rename A Bunch of Files at OnceĪ common example of why you might want to rename all the files in a folder at once – is your photo files from a digital camera.

Bulk rename folders