Offloading digital camera SD cards, sorting through downloaded receipts, or organizing work assets often leaves you with dozens of poorly named files like IMG_0042.jpg or Document_Scan_1.pdf. Clicking into each file individually to edit its name is tedious and frustrating. Fortunately, you do not need third-party utilities or command-line scripts to rename files in bulk. macOS Finder includes a native, versatile batch renaming engine accessible directly from your right-click context menu.
The Three Batch Renaming Modes in macOS Finder
When you select multiple files and open the batch renaming window, Finder presents three distinct operational modes:
- Replace Text: Searches for specific characters, words, or prefixes within filenames and swaps them with replacement text (e.g., changing “Draft” to “Final”).
- Add Text: Appends a common word, project code, or client name to the exact beginning or end of all selected filenames.
- Format: Replaces existing filenames entirely with a standardized naming scheme followed by sequential numbering or timestamps (e.g., “Paris_Trip_01”, “Paris_Trip_02”).
How to Batch Rename Files in macOS Finder
To rename multiple items simultaneously, follow these straightforward steps in any Finder window:
- Open Finder and navigate to the folder containing the files you wish to rename.
- Select the files you want to modify. You can hold Command while clicking individual items, or press Command + A to select everything in the directory.
- Right-click (or hold Control and click) on any of the selected files.
- Select Rename… from the context menu.
- A toolbar panel titled Rename Finder Items will drop down over the selection.
- Click the leftmost dropdown menu to choose your preferred mode:
- If choosing Replace Text: Enter the characters you want to remove in the Find field, and type the new text in the Replace with field.
- If choosing Add Text: Type the word you want to attach and choose whether to place it after name or before name.
- If choosing Format: Choose a format style (e.g., Name and Index or Name and Counter), type your custom base name, specify where the number should appear, and set your starting number.
- Check the Example preview at the bottom-left of the dialogue to verify how your updated filenames will look.
- Click the blue Rename button. Finder will update every selected file instantly.
How to Instantly Undo a Batch Rename
If you make a typo during the renaming process or realize you accidentally included the wrong files, do not panic. As long as you remain in the Finder window, simply press Command + Z (or click Edit > Undo Rename in the menu bar). macOS will instantly revert every single file back to its exact previous name.