Batch File Rename Tool
This tool helps you rename multiple files at once. Here's how to use it:
- Click "Select Folder" to choose the directory containing your files
- Choose a rename action:
- Replace Text: Find and replace specific text in file names
- Add Text: Add text before or after the existing file names
- Format: Create custom naming patterns with numbers and dates
- Configure your rename settings using the provided options
- Preview the changes in the table below
- Use checkboxes to select/deselect specific files
- Click "Rename Files" to apply the changes
About the Batch Rename Utility
The Batch Rename Utility is a free online tool that lets you rename multiple files in a folder at once using a variety of powerful renaming actions.
Instead of tediously renaming files one by one, this tool provides a streamlined workflow where you select a folder, choose a renaming strategy, preview the changes, and apply them in a single click.
The tool uses the File System Access API to interact with your local file system directly from the browser. All processing happens client-side, meaning your file names and directory contents are never sent to any server.
Key Features
- Five Renaming Actions:
Choose from Replace Text, Add Text, Numerate, Case Transformation, and Trim Text. Each action provides specialized controls tailored to its specific renaming strategy. - Replace Text:
Find and replace specific text within file names. Enter the text to search for and the replacement text to apply across all selected files. - Add Text:
Insert text before or after existing file names. This is useful for adding prefixes, suffixes, dates, or identifiers to groups of files. - Numerate:
Add sequential numbers to file names with configurable starting number, delimiter, and positioning (before or after the file name). Ideal for creating ordered sequences from unordered files. - Case Transformation:
Convert file names between multiple case formats including lowercase, UPPERCASE, Title Case, kebab-case, snake_case, camelCase, PascalCase, space-separated, sentence case, and proper case. - Trim Text:
Remove a specified number of characters from the beginning or end of each file name, which is helpful for stripping unwanted prefixes or suffixes. - Live Preview:
See the proposed new file names alongside the original names in a preview table before applying any changes. The preview updates automatically as you adjust settings. - Selective Renaming:
Use checkboxes to include or exclude individual files from the rename operation. Only selected files will be affected when you apply the changes. - Duplicate Detection:
The tool automatically checks for duplicate names and prevents renaming if any conflicts are detected, protecting your files from accidental overwrites. - Client-Side Processing:
All renaming logic runs entirely in your browser. Your file names and directory structure are never transmitted to any server, ensuring complete privacy.
How to Use the Batch Rename Utility
- Select a Folder:
Click the "Select Folder" button and choose the directory containing the files you want to rename. The tool will list all files in that folder. - Choose a Rename Action:
Use the dropdown menu to select one of the five available actions: Replace Text, Add Text, Numerate, Case Transformation, or Trim Text. - Configure the Settings:
Fill in the options specific to your chosen action. For example, enter the find and replace strings for Replace Text, or select the target case format for Case Transformation. - Preview the Changes:
Review the preview table that shows each file's original name and proposed new name. The preview updates in real time as you adjust settings. - Select or Deselect Files:
Use the checkboxes to include or exclude specific files from the operation. - Apply the Rename:
Click the "Rename Files" button to execute the renaming operation on all selected files.
Best Practices
- Preview Before Renaming:
Always review the preview table carefully before clicking the rename button. Verify that the new names are correct and that no unintended changes have been introduced. - Back Up Important Files:
Before performing bulk rename operations on important files, consider making a backup copy of the folder. While the tool includes duplicate detection, having a backup adds an extra layer of safety. - Use Selective Renaming:
If only some files in the folder need renaming, deselect the ones you want to leave unchanged rather than moving them to a separate folder. - Start Simple:
Begin with a straightforward action like Replace Text or Case Transformation. You can always run multiple passes with different actions to achieve complex renaming results. - Watch for Duplicate Warnings:
If the tool displays a duplicate name warning, adjust your settings until all proposed names are unique before proceeding.
Common Use Cases
- Photo Organization:
Rename camera files (e.g., IMG_0001.jpg) with descriptive names, dates, or sequential numbers for easier browsing and archival. - Project File Management:
Add project prefixes or version numbers to groups of files to maintain consistent naming conventions across teams. - Code File Refactoring:
Convert file names between naming conventions (e.g., camelCase to kebab-case) to match project coding standards. - Music and Media Libraries:
Clean up inconsistently named audio or video files by standardizing case, removing unwanted characters, or adding track numbers. - Document Cleanup:
Remove auto-generated prefixes, trim unnecessary characters, or replace spaces with underscores across a batch of business documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which browsers support this tool?
The Batch Rename Utility uses the File System Access API, which is currently supported in Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Firefox and Safari do not yet support this API.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The tool accesses your local file system directly through the browser's File System Access API. All processing happens on your device, and no file names or contents are ever transmitted to any server.
Can I undo a rename operation?
The tool does not include a built-in undo feature. Once files are renamed, the changes are applied directly to your file system. This is why it is important to review the preview table carefully and back up important files before proceeding.
Does the tool rename files in subfolders?
No. The tool processes only the files at the top level of the selected folder. Files in subfolders are not included in the rename operation.
What happens if two files would have the same name?
The tool automatically detects duplicate names and displays a warning message. The "Rename Files" button is disabled until all proposed names are unique, preventing accidental file overwrites.
Related Tools
You might also find these tools useful:
- Duplicate File Finder — Find and remove duplicate files on your system.
- Disk Space Analyzer — Scan folders and identify large files.
- Glob Pattern Tester — Test file matching patterns visually.
- Encrypt File — Securely encrypt files with AES-256 encryption.