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.
- Bulk Rename Here
- Tgrmn Software Bulk Rename Utility
- Bulk Rename Utility Examples
- Bulk Rename Here Name
- Bulk Rename Here App
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.
Method 1: Use ‘Bulk rename utility' to batch rename your files and folders. The Bulk Rename Utility provides a powerful interface from which you can select on how to rename your files. You will get a preview of how the new names will appear once you decide to rename those files. The interface is somewhat cluttered but it is very simple to use. Application: Bulk Rename Utility Category: Utilities Description: From the publisher's website: Bulk Rename Utility is a free file renaming software for Windows. Bulk Rename Utility allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible criteria. Bulk Rename is one of the most powerful and intuitive file and folder renaming utilities available. With Bulk Rename, you can rename large amounts of files and folders with ease. It supports the following scenarios: insertion of numbering (ordinal and cardinal) or strings, removing strings, replacing strings, change casing and changing of file.
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 How to Fix Mac Folder With Question Mark Read MoreBatch 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 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 asBulk Rename Here
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.
Also on Guiding Tech How to Customize the Lock Screen on macOS 10.14 Mojave 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 App Also 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.
Portfolio bar 1 2 3. 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
Did You Know
Tgrmn Software Bulk Rename Utility
The world's first VCR was the size of a piano.
More in Mac
How to Troubleshoot and Reset Wi-Fi Settings on Mac
Wondering why would you need a file renaming software? A file renaming software is especially useful for people in the profession of writing, photography, designing, or simply someone who handles a lot of files in a day. Given that manually renaming files can be taxing, these tools can be really useful.
While you can easily batch name files or folders in Windows by selecting them all and then pressing the F2 key on your keyboard. By doing this, a number of files and folders will be automatically added to make the name special.
However, you need a lot more control on in what way you want to rename your files in batch. For example, you may want to add a few words at the end or start of the file names, or you may even want to delete a specific number of characters from all the file names. Despite your requirement, using a good file rename software is a must. Here we have a list of file rename software for Windows.
Bulk Rename Utility
Bulk Rename Utility is one of the most popular file renaming programs in the list for Windows. It can easily suffice your daily batch renaming requirements with ease. While the home screen can be a bit complex for beginners, it becomes really easy to use once you get a hold of it.
The program comes with all the features you need, despite your renaming requirements. Among its major features are:
- Adding, deleting, or changing text in the file names;
- Changing the letter cases for filenames;
- Appending or Prepending text to filenames;
- Deleting words, digits, characters, or symbols;
- Revising extensions;
- Copying the files or moving them, and
- Supporting usual expressions.
Bulk Rename Utility Examples
The best part about the program is that it superfast. Moreover, it's available in both installable and portable versions. The installation version adds a right-click context menu item that helps rename fast.
Price: Free for personal use; Starts from $49.95 for 6+ computers for business use.
Flexible Renamer
Flexible Renamer is another great renaming app that comes with multiple options like renaming with the help of tags (ID3, Exif, etc.), numbering files, using wildcards or usual expressions, walking an order of folders, offering presets for regular renaming tasks (deleting parentheses), and more. What's interesting is, the preview feature eliminates errors, and notifies of naming any disputes.
Amongs its other important features are, ability to rename using ID3 music, IPTC, DOC, HTML tags, and Exif, ability to write scripts in VBScript or in Jscript for complicated renaming functions, lightweight and free of cost with no requirement to install, ability to add context menu to Windows Explorer for renaming files in selected folders, and availability in multiple translations (English, French, Japanese, German, and Spanish).
Price: Free
File Renamer Basic
If you are looking for a file renaming software that can effectively rename several files and images, then file renamer basic can be your best bet. It comes with a perfect interface that features file listing and a directory tree.
Some of its major features are:
- Supporting usual expressions like EXIF, ID3 v1, and ID3 v2. stored profiles for repeated tasks, renaming lists, and editing tags.
- Outstanding help files.
- Free license with limited features.
- A well-designed interface.
- A perfect file for renaming.
Price: Free
Advanced Renamer
Advanced Renamer is a great and effective batch renaming tool that comes packed with fourteen different renaming functions. The best part about the tool is that it's free of cost and lightweight. In addition, it features a good-looking interface and helps rename several files and folders with renaming techniques.
While the interface may seem a bit complex at the start for the beginners, but it gets easier as you keep working with it. Among its major features are:
- Eliminating selected sections of the file name;
- Renaming using tags;
- Changing/Revising file attributes and time stamp;
- Renumbering the files;
- Creating custom batch strips.
That's not all, as the program also allows you to rename files based on the extracted data from target files like the GPS information, TV show air date from downloaded videos, and so on. It allows you to create different types of distinct techniques to suffice your requirements, using the custom batch scripting feature.
Price: Free for personal use (limited); Upgrade starts from $20.
PFrank
PFrank is also known for its several advanced features just like the other similar tools. Among its major features are the option to rename files based on tags, changing file properties and timestamps, classification of renaming benchmark, and more.
Additionally, the program also aids regular expressions for more complex renaming requirements. The program, indeed comes with some pre-set regular expressions, and if it requires, you can easily change them based on your needs.
It's an advanced file renaming software and so, comes with a steep learning curve with a perplexing user-interface. But, if you can ignore the complicated interface and some technical names, then this app can be best suited for you
Price: Free
Renamer
Renamer provides quite a few ways to modify the names of files and folders in batches and quickly. It offers a helpful approach which makes it easier to rename or change the names of multiple files.
On launching the app, you will be asked to take a tour of the Quick, Guide. It gives you a clear view of the app's interface that's small and divided into two main portions, one that creates a rule and the other one for dragging the files to be renamed.
There are 14 rule categories that includes features like Insert, Delete, and Rearrange. On clicking, a new window will open with check boxes and radio buttons, making the entire process a cake-walk. Among its major advantages are that it works quickly, comes with options like Prefix, Suffix, and After Text, options to re-arrange file names and removing characters, and more.
Price: Free
Metamorphose 2
Metamorphose 2 Beta is a complex, yet efficient file renaming software for Windows. Among its major features are:
- Ability to rename files and folders at the same time;
- Ability to undo any operation;
- Use of regular expressions;
- Ability to read metadata for instance, ID3 and EXIF tags.
- Helps you modify the length of names;
- Helps you modify the case of file names in different ways;
- Supports a large number of languages and platforms.
Price: Free
Siren
If you are looking for an advanced batch file renaming tool, then Siren can be your best bet. While it features all the basic renaming options, the program also has the ability to use the information from file properties so that you can rename the files accordingly. The software is also compatible with command line interface for those who are into such things.
Although the app comes with pre-configured modes, tags, and expressions, it takes time to get a hang of the app. Best of all, the software is portable and so, it does not require installation. You can start using it right away. But, the only downside is the developer is working no more on this app and despite that the app is still working great on Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems.
Price: Free
Rename-It!
Rename-It! is another great file renaming tool that helps you rename a large number of files in seconds and what's more? It does it in one single transaction so that if in case of any failure, it doesn't rename anything at all. This free and open source app can modify file's directory or rename the complete path to the file.
What's interesting is, it can create number series, for example, you can ask it to rename an image with Image1, Image2, Image3, and so on. Moreover, it places itself in the Explorer context menu. It also allows you to create a script from the CLI so, it carries out the renaming function and gives back the correct exit code. It can also use RegExp apart from wildcards and string replacements.
Price: Free version available; Upgrade starts from $7
Rename Master
Bulk Rename Here Name
If you are looking for a file renaming software, then Rename Master can be perfect for you. You can easily rename files, folders, documents, images, or videos. Some of its major features are:
- Providing support for ID3 tags, regular expressions, scripts, and EXIF tags;
- Smart number scoring;
- Renaming files and folders;
- Option to preview automatically;
- Option to create custom file list columns;
- Option to rename for scanning subfolder;
- Providing entire Unicode filename support;
- Portable, so do not need to be installed.
Price: Free
Easy File Renamer
Easy File Renamer helps you rename folders and files effortlessly on your system by creating a custom template in simply a few steps using this responsive app. It's an easy to use app that comes with cloud feature to rename files on Goggle Drive.
Although it does not come with a standalone interface, it can be accessed from the Windows Explorer's context menu. Thus, it helps you modify a file's name by selecting them in the standard manner from the Explorer, defining the criteria, and then clicking the rename option.
Despite the absence of a User Interface, it allows you to set your criteria for the pending files from the Dialog box. Simply put, it allows you to sort files according to names and ranking, and mention as the enumeration begins.
Price: Free
Wild Rename
Bulk Rename Here App
Wild Rename is one of the straightforward file renaming apps around for Windows. It's multi-file renaming program with a simple user interface that helps you build and carry out file renaming operations either one at a time, or in batches. Some of its major features include:
- Converting file names to lower case or upper case or normalized case for instance, first letter capitalized.
- It can carry out tasks with the help of regular expressions;
- Helps you to add or delete strings of characters from filenames;
- Puts back strings of characters in file names with the help of either simple alternatives, or with strong regular expressions;
- Portable, and so, does not need to be installed;
- Helps add text counters to a series of files.
Price: Free
FlashRenamer
Flash Renamer is a file renaming software for Windows that comes with a clean formatted interface featuring a preview pane displaying the selected files and folders. It lets you browse, look up, select files for free. You can also view which files are creating a mess using the optional thumbnails. Easy to define presets automatically insert conditions to specific files as they are saved, for example, storing MP3 names in Artist-Title format.
it also features a Music button that offers you several options simply for managing MP3 titles. You can also use the 'Undo' button to return before an error cannot be rectified anymore. The app opens and runs smoothly.
You will need to press the Escape button to end the existing process and go back to the last screen while loading thumbnails or large number of files. It can also cleanup files and folders, while implementing preset conditions help you keep things clean and arranged.
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade available at $19.95
Ant Renamer
Ant Renamer is again a great file renaming software that helps you to rename your files effectively. Among its major features are, providing support to ID 3 v 1, regular expressions, and EXIF tags, and ability to change the names from an imported file.
Price: Free
1-4a Rename
1-4a Rename is a basic file renaming software that's perfect for daily use. Although a simple software, it's one of the most powerful renaming tools that renames files at once. It comes with features like 'Undo' function, ability to preview modifications instantly, offers STAR TREK startdate or startime, supports multiple image formats like .jpg, .mp3, digital camera files, etc., fast with even several files, performs in networks and with subdirectories, and much more.
Price: Free
Renaming files and folders, or images can be a time-consuming affair with Windows alone, so getting a file renaming software will not just cut down on that added time, but also equip you with added and advanced features.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares