Files: How to Change File Names in Bulk on PC or Mac

This updated guide examines Files: How to Change File Names in Bulk on PC or Mac and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Windows

1. Press?Win+Eto open the File Explorer. This displays a list of drives, folders, and files on your computer.
2. Open the folder with the files you want to change.
3. Select the files. To select more than one file at a time, holdCtrlas you click each file. If you prefer, you can click and drag a box around the files you want to edit.
   • To select all of the files in a folder, click somewhere in the folder, then pressCtrl+A.
4. Right-click the highlighted files. A context menu will expand.
5. ClickRename. It's near the bottom of the menu. The names of all of the files are now edible.
6. Type in the name you want for your files and press?Enter. This changes all of the file names to what you've typed, but each subsequent file will end with a number.
   • For example, if you name the first file Cat.gif , the next file will be called Cat(2).gif , then Cat(3).gif , etc.

Method 2of 2:

macOS

1. Open Finderon your Mac. You'll usually find this icon on the Dock.
2. Open the folder with the files you want to change.
3. Select the files. To select more than one file at a time, hold?Commandas you click each file. If you prefer, you can click and drag a box around the files you want to edit.
   • To select all of the files in a folder, click somewhere in the folder, then press?Command+A.
4. Click the Action button. It's at the top of the Finder window.
5. ClickRename [number of] Items.
6. ClickFormatfrom the drop-down menu. It's the menu at the top of the set of rename tools.
7. Select a name format for the style format. Select Name and Index , Name and Counter , or Name and Date depending on your needs.
8. Type a name for the files into the 'Custom Format' box. This is the name that will appear at the beginning of each file name.
   • For example, if you type 'Cat' and selected 'Name and Counter' as your format, the files will be called Cat-1 , Cat-2 , etc.
9. Enter a starting number. If you're numbering the files, you can start with 1, 2, or any other number.
10. ClickRename. The selected files are now renamed sequentially using the formatting you entered.