Current Dilemma When Renaming Multiple Files in Mac
A current minor dilemma faced by Mac users is the issue on the procedure of renaming multiple files in one go. Usually, a Mac user saves several photos or files in his desktop/laptop with the images’ or files’ original or default file names. However, some circumstances require users to rename their photos or files with another distinct file name. The quick remedy is to simply rename the photo or file one by one, but this solution becomes impractical and time consuming if the user intends to rename hundreds or even thousands of photos or files.
So the question comes into place, what is the alternative solution to enable users to rename several photos or files in one go? For now, there is nothing much to worry for the following information exposes the quick procedure on how to rename numerous files saved on a Mac.
Renaming Numerous Files at Once in macOS Sierra
Usually, a Mac user downloads and uses a third party application to rename plentiful files at once. In some other cases, users intend to acquire the benefits of other file rename utilities. It has been discovered that with the aid of the ‘Finder’, batch renaming of files is not that tedious after all. In Finder, there is indeed a faster and a more hassle-free option which caters to the issue of batch renaming. If you are one of the users who have not figured out this faster option, then scroll through and simply perform the steps.
Step by Step Procedure on How to Rename Multiple Files at Once
Please take note that in the example below, the original file names of 50 different photographs will be changed in the format of “IMG1, IMG2, IMG3, IMG4…IMGn”
-
First things first, click the Finder and then highlight to select the files that you want to rename at once. As seen on the attached screenshot, 50 photographs are selected. Once done with the first procedure, you now have to click File from your menu tab and look for the option ‘Rename 50 items’.
-
After performing the first step, a dialog box will then appear on the screen. As seen on the dialog box, there are various settings that you can use to rename the filenames in a way that you exactly want it to be. In this case, select the drop down box located at the upper left section of the dialog box and then choose Format.
-
As seen on the screen, a drop down box with the label Name Format is located right under the upper left drop down box. In the Name Format drop down box, click Name and Index. On the right side of the dialog box, a drop down box with the label Where can be located. In this drop down box, select the option after name.
-
After setting up the Name Format and Where drop down boxes, locate the Custom Format drop down box. Once located, input IMG into the textbox. Parallel to the Custom Format drop down box is the Start numbers at drop down box. In this section, encode the number 1.
-
After performing all the procedures, locate and select the Rename button on the lower right corner. As seen on the attached image, all the files you previously selected will now have its new file name. The procedure on how to rename files in batches at once is clearly very user friendly and hassle-free. This solution can also be applied with Mac computers with the older versions of operating systems. If you are a Mac user and you are not currently using the most updated version of the operating system then there is no need for you to worry!
The Add Text Option in the Batch Rename Menu
There are several other options which you can choose on the Batch Rename Menu. One of these options is the Add Text menu. This feature allows the user to add characters to the original or default name of the file. This option can be useful in cases where the user intends to insert text to the beginning or the end part of several file names.
The Replace Text Option in the Batch Rename Menu
The other option which is the Replace Text functions similarly with the common Find and Replace feature. In this option, the user simply encodes the word that he intends to replace and the other word he wants to substitute it with. Simply click Rename and all the selected files will then have its new file names.
The batch rename feature in the macOS’ Finder is full of advantages! For the Mac users out there, simply look for the Finder.app when you intend to rename several files at one go!
