Prior to OS X Yosemite, there was no simple way to rename multiple files at the same time on the Mac. Some people set up Automator rules. Others tried workarounds to rename files in third-party apps. Finally, Apple realized our heartache and created a much simpler way to rename multiple files at once, and it's only gotten easier as macOS updates continue. Here's how to batch-rename files on your Mac.
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I personally batch-rename photos most often, but it works for any files you have. They just have to be the same type in order to be renamed all at once.
Click on the Action button at the top of the Finder window. You can also right or control + click on the files.
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Select Format from the drop down menu at the top of the set of rename tools.
Enter a name for your files into Custom Format.
Click on Rename.
All of the files you selected will be renamed with the new name and listed sequentially from the starting number you entered.
If you have a number of files that you want to identify but want to keep their current names, you can add text to every file without changing the original title.
Click on the Action button at the top of the Finder window. You can also right or control + click on the files.
Select Add Text from the drop down menu at the top of the set of rename tools.
Click on Rename.
All of the files you selected will have the new words added to them, without changing their original title.
Sometimes, you want to change the name of just a few files, but it's one of dozens of files with different names and may be difficult to search for. You can find and replace portions or all of the name of files if you have a general idea of the original. For example, you could find and replace the wording in the name of every file that has 'secret project' in it.
Click on the Action button at the top of the Finder window. You can also right or control + click on the files.
Select Replace Text from the drop down menu at the top of the set of rename tools.
Click on Rename
Every file that had the original word or words you searched for will be replaced with the word or words you entered to change them to.
It's incredibly easy to undo a file rename, as long as it's the last action you performed in the finder window.
If it doesn't say Undo Rename, try hitting Undo a couple of times. This will undo any actions you've performed in Finder after renaming the files.
You can also hit Command-Z as a keyboard shortcut to undo.
Do you have any questions about renaming multiple files at once on the Mac? Put them in the comments and we'll help you out.
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