If you have just transferred hundreds of photos from your digital camera, they probably have unhelpful names like IMG_001.JPG, IMG_002.JPG, and so on. Instead of right-clicking and renaming each file individually, macOS includes a powerful, built-in batch renaming tool directly inside Finder.
How to Batch Rename Files
- Open Finder and navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename.
- Click and drag your mouse (or hold Command and click) to select all the files you want to change.
- Right-click on any one of the highlighted files and select Rename… from the context menu (if you are on an older version of macOS, it might say “Rename X Items”).
Choosing Your Renaming Format
A small dropdown tool will appear at the top of the Finder window, giving you three different ways to modify the file names:
- Replace Text: This acts like a standard “Find and Replace” tool. For example, you can tell it to find “IMG” and replace it with “Vacation”.
IMG_001.JPGwill instantly becomeVacation_001.JPG. - Add Text: This allows you to append a word to the beginning or end of the existing file names. For example, adding “-Edited” to the end of all selected files.
- Format: This is the most powerful option for photos. It allows you to completely wipe the existing file name, create a brand new custom name, and automatically add a sequential number or date to the end (e.g.,
Paris_Trip_1.JPG,Paris_Trip_2.JPG).
As you type your changes into the tool, Finder will show you a live preview of what the new file name will look like in the bottom-left corner of the popup. Once you are happy with the preview, click the blue Rename button. Finder will instantly process all the selected files, saving you hours of tedious manual data entry.