HOW TO Batch rename files in the Finder

1 Select the files

Locate the files you want to rename in Finder. ç-click on each file. When you’ve selected all the files you want to rename, ≈-click on them and choose Rename, or click File > Rename.

2 Replace Text

In the dialog that appears, choose Replace from the menu. In the left-hand box next to Find, type the text you want to replace in the name of the file. For example, ‘DSC’ in the name of a photo.

3 Finish replacing text

Next, in the ‘Replace with’ field, type the text you want to replace the text typed in the Find entry. Note that it will be used in multiple files, so shouldn’t be too specific. Click Rename to replace the text in all the filenames.

4 Add Text

If you want to add text to the filename, rather than replace existing text, choose Add Text from the menu. Type the text you want to add, then choose ‘before name’ or ‘after name’ from the menu and click Rename.

5 Format the name

The Format option enables you to replace all the text in a filename with new text and a number. The text is the same for all files, while the number increases by one for each file. Choose Format from the menu to use it.

6 Choose an option

Choose one of the options from the Name Format menu. Name and Index, which adds an integer, Name and Counter which adds ‘0000’ before the integer, or Name and Date which adds the date and time after the name.

7 Finish formatting

Choose where the index, date or counter should go, type the name in the Custom Format field, and type a number in the ‘Start Numbers at’ box if you’ve selected Name and Index or Name and Counter. Click Rename.

8 Undo the rename

If you realise that you’ve made a mistake after you click Rename, or if you change your mind when you see the results, choose Finder > Edit > Undo Rename. Or press ⌘+Z to undo the most recent change.