How to Batch Rename Files on a Mac

You can batch rename files on a Mac directly in Finder. Select the files, Control-click one of them, choose Rename, and use Replace Text, Add Text, or Format to rename several files at once. Finder also lets you undo a batch rename if the result is not what you expected.

Quick Answer

To rename multiple files in Finder:

1. Open the folder containing the files.
2. Select the files you want to rename.
3. Control-click the selection, then choose Rename.
4. Select one of these options:
   – Replace Text to change existing words or characters
   – Add Text to insert text before or after the current name
   – Format to create a new naming pattern with numbering
5. Enter the details and click Rename.

Before renaming a large group, check the selected files carefully. Finder applies the change to every selected item, and the result may be difficult to sort out if the wrong files are included.

Before You Batch Rename Files

Batch renaming changes the names of multiple files at the same time. It does not normally change the file contents, but it can affect how files sort, how they are found in searches, and how other apps or workflows identify them.

Keep these points in mind:

• Make sure you are working in the correct folder.
• Select only the files you want to rename.
• If the files are important, consider making a backup first.
• Do not include folders unless you intend to rename them too.
• Avoid using characters that may cause problems with other systems, such as slashes.
• Check whether the file extension is visible before changing names. The extension identifies the file type, such as .jpg, .pdf, or .docx.

If a file is open in another app, save your work before renaming it. Renaming usually does not close the app or delete the file, but an app may display an outdated name until you close and reopen the document or refresh its file list.

Rename Multiple Files in Finder

Finder provides three built-in batch renaming methods: Replace Text, Add Text, and Format. The first two preserve most of each original filename. Format lets you create a new naming pattern, including sequential numbers.

Select the Files

1. Open Finder from the Dock.
2. Navigate to the folder containing the files.
3. Select the files you want to rename:
   – Hold the Command key and click individual files.
   – Hold the Shift key and click a range of files.
   – Press Command-A to select everything in the current folder.
4. Control-click one of the selected files.
5. Choose Rename.

You can also select the files and choose File > Rename from the menu bar.

A rename window appears with a menu containing Replace Text, Add Text, and Format.

Warning: If you selected the wrong files, click outside the rename window or choose Cancel before continuing. Do not click Rename until you have checked the selection and the preview.

Method 1: Replace Text in Multiple Filenames

Use Replace Text when every selected filename contains a word, phrase, or character sequence that should be changed.

For example, suppose a folder contains:

Vacation beach 01.jpg
Vacation beach 02.jpg
Vacation beach 03.jpg

You can replace Vacation with Summer to produce:

Summer beach 01.jpg
Summer beach 02.jpg
Summer beach 03.jpg

Steps to Replace Text

1. Select the files in Finder.
2. Control-click the selection and choose Rename.
3. Choose Replace Text from the menu.
4. Enter the existing text in the Find field.
5. Enter the replacement text in the Replace with field.
6. Review the preview of the new names.
7. Click Rename.

To remove text instead of replacing it, enter the text you want to remove in Find, then leave Replace with empty.

For example, finding Copy of and replacing it with nothing changes:

Copy of Report.pdf

to:

Report.pdf

When Replace Text Is Useful

This method works well for:

• Removing repeated words such as Copy of
• Correcting a project name across many files
• Changing a date or event name
• Replacing spaces or symbols with another character
• Updating a temporary label

Finder replaces matching text wherever it appears in the selected names. Review the preview carefully, particularly when the text is short or appears more than once.

Method 2: Add Text to Multiple Filenames

Use Add Text when you want to keep the existing filenames but add a label before or after them.

For example, these files:

001.jpg
002.jpg
003.jpg

could become:

Edited 001.jpg
Edited 002.jpg
Edited 003.jpg

Steps to Add Text

1. Select the files in Finder.
2. Control-click one of the selected files.
3. Choose Rename.
4. Choose Add Text from the menu.
5. Type the text you want to add.
6. Use the location menu to choose whether the text goes before name or after name.
7. Review the preview.
8. Click Rename.

Adding text before the name is useful for labels such as:

• Final
• Client-
• Archive
• 2025-

Adding text after the name can be useful when you want to append a status, such as:

Invoice.pdf - paid

However, adding text after the complete filename may place it after the extension. If maintaining a usable extension is important, check the preview carefully. A filename such as Invoice.pdf - paid may not behave exactly like a file named Invoice - paid.pdf in every workflow.

Method 3: Format Filenames With Numbering

Use Format when you want to create a consistent naming pattern, especially for numbered files.

For example, you can turn a group of images into:

Product Photo 1.jpg
Product Photo 2.jpg
Product Photo 3.jpg

or:

Meeting Notes 01.pdf
Meeting Notes 02.pdf
Meeting Notes 03.pdf

The exact numbering and name fields available in the rename window can vary based on the macOS version and Finder interface. Use the preview to confirm the result before applying it.

Steps to Create Numbered Filenames

1. Select the files in Finder.
2. Control-click the selection.
3. Choose Rename.
4. Choose Format from the menu.
5. Use the available fields to set the naming pattern.
6. Enter a custom name, such as Project Photos.
7. Choose whether the number appears before or after the name.
8. Set the starting number if Finder provides that option.
9. Review the preview.
10. Click Rename.

A typical result might look like this:

Project Photos 1.jpg
Project Photos 2.jpg
Project Photos 3.jpg

If you want leading zeros for easier sorting, use a format that produces names such as:

Project Photos 01.jpg
Project Photos 02.jpg
Project Photos 03.jpg

Leading zeros are helpful when a folder contains many files. Without them, alphabetical sorting may place 10 before 2, depending on the view and sorting behavior. With two-digit numbering, files from 01 through 99 sort more predictably.

File Order and Numbering

Finder numbers files according to the order used by the rename operation. Before choosing Format, arrange the folder in the order you want if the sequence matters. For example, switch to a view that makes it easy to sort by Name, Date Modified, or another useful column.

The original file contents are not changed, but the filenames may no longer show the original order. If you need to preserve the old names, make a copy of the files first or record the original naming scheme.

How to Undo a Batch Rename

Finder usually lets you reverse a recent batch rename with Undo.

Immediately after renaming:

1. Choose Edit > Undo Rename from the menu bar.

Depending on the current Finder context, you may also be able to press Command-Z.

If Finder displays Redo Rename, the previous rename has been undone. You can choose Edit > Redo Rename to apply it again.

Important Undo Limitations

• Undo applies to recent actions and may no longer be available after other operations.
• Closing or reopening Finder may affect which actions can be undone.
• Do not rely on Undo as a backup.
• If you perform several file operations after renaming, the rename may not be the next action available to reverse.

If Undo Rename is unavailable, you may need to rename the files again manually or restore the original names from a backup.

Avoid Duplicate Filenames

macOS generally prevents two files with the same name from existing in the same folder. During a batch rename, Finder may adjust a name, show a warning, or prevent the operation when the new names conflict.

For example, replacing text could cause several different files to become the same filename. Always review the preview and watch for duplicate-name warnings.

A safer approach is to include a unique part of the original name, a date, or a sequence number in the new pattern.

Rename Files With Different Extensions

A file extension is the part of a filename after the final period, such as .png or .txt. Finder may hide extensions depending on your settings.

When batch renaming:

• Avoid changing the extension unless you are intentionally changing how the file is identified.
• Do not rename a .jpg file to .pdf and expect it to become a PDF.
• Check the preview for names that place added text after the extension.
• If Finder warns that you are changing a file extension, read the warning before confirming.

Changing an extension does not convert the file. It only changes the name, and the associated app may no longer open it correctly.

Troubleshooting Batch Renaming

The Rename Option Is Missing

Make sure you selected at least one item in Finder and Control-clicked the selection. You can also use File > Rename from the menu bar.

If the item is on a read-only volume, a network location with restricted permissions, or a folder where you do not have write access, Finder may not allow the rename.

Only Some Files Were Renamed

Some selected items may have been locked, read-only, or stored in a location with limited permissions. Select an unchanged file, press Command-I, and check its information window for restrictions and permissions.

Cloud storage providers and external drives can also delay changes or apply their own synchronization rules. Wait for synchronization to finish, then check the folder again.

The Numbering Is Not in the Expected Order

The files may have been selected or sorted differently than you expected. Before using Format, arrange the files in the desired order and confirm the preview.

If the numbers are difficult to sort, use leading zeros, such as 01, 02, and 03.

The File Extension Changed

The added text may have been placed after the extension, or the extension may have been included in the rename pattern. Review the preview before clicking Rename. If the operation already happened, use Edit > Undo Rename immediately.

Undo Rename Is Unavailable

Finder may have discarded the undo action because another operation occurred afterward. If the files were backed up or synced, use the backup or the service’s file recovery feature. Otherwise, rename the files manually using the information you remember about the original names.

A File Is Open and Its Name Looks Outdated

Some apps do not immediately refresh their document lists after a file is renamed in Finder. Save the document, close it if appropriate, and reopen it from its new Finder location. Do not close an app if it contains unsaved work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I batch rename folders as well as files?

Yes. Finder’s rename tools can apply to selected folders as well as files. Be careful when renaming folders because other files, shortcuts, scripts, or apps may refer to the original folder name.

Can I rename files in different folders at the same time?

Finder’s standard batch rename tools are intended for items selected together in the same Finder location. If the files are spread across different folders, move or copy them into a temporary folder only if doing so will not disrupt your organization, or rename them separately by folder.

Does batch renaming change the file contents?

No. Finder changes the item names, not the contents. It can still affect links, scripts, searches, and applications that expect a particular filename.

Can I add a date to multiple filenames?

Yes. Use Add Text to insert a date manually, or use Format to create a consistent naming pattern. Finder’s built-in rename tool is best for a fixed piece of text. If you need each file to receive a different date based on its creation or modification date, you may need a specialized file-renaming app or an automation workflow.

Can I number files starting with a number other than 1?

Use Format and look for the starting-number option in the rename window. If your version of Finder does not offer the required numbering control, rename the files in stages or use another renaming tool.

What happens if two files would receive the same name?

Finder may prevent the rename, display a warning, or modify the result to avoid a conflict. Review the preview and use unique text or numbering when necessary.

Is there a limit to how many files I can rename?

Finder is designed to handle groups of files, but the practical limit depends on the folder location, storage device, permissions, and the number of items selected. For a very large collection, test the process on a small group first.

Final Thoughts

Finder is the simplest way to batch rename files on a Mac. Use Replace Text to correct or remove repeated text, Add Text to label existing names, and Format to create a consistent pattern with numbering. Always verify the selected files and preview, protect important data with a backup, and use Edit > Undo Rename immediately if the result is not right.