Batch rename files

Rename dozens of files at once using regex, prefix/suffix, or sequential numbering — with a live preview before you commit.

Time: ~3 minutes
Skill level: Intermediate

Opening the Batch Rename dialog

  1. Select the files you want to rename (Ctrl + A for all, or Ctrl + click for individual picks)
  2. Press F2

When multiple files are selected, F2 opens the Batch Rename dialog instead of inline rename.

Mode 1: Find and Replace

Replace a specific text string in every filename.

Example: Rename IMG_001.jpg, IMG_002.jpg, IMG_003.jpg → Photo_001.jpg, Photo_002.jpg, Photo_003.jpg

Field Value
Find IMG_
Replace Photo_

Options:

  • Case sensitive — IMG and img are treated differently when on
  • Regex — enables regular expression patterns in the Find field

Regex example: Remove trailing numbers from filenames
Find: \s+\d+$
Replace: (leave blank)

This turns Report 2024, Report 2025 → Report, Report.

Mode 2: Prefix / Suffix

Add text to the beginning or end of every filename.

Example: Add 2024_ to the start of all files in a project folder:

Field Value
Prefix 2024_
Suffix (blank)

budget.xlsx → 2024_budget.xlsx
notes.txt → 2024_notes.txt

Add a suffix before the extension:

Field Value
Prefix (blank)
Suffix _final

report.docx → report_final.docx

Mode 3: Sequential Numbering

Rename files to a numbered pattern. Use {name}, {n}, and {ext} as placeholders.

Example: Rename a photo dump to Photo_001.jpg, Photo_002.jpg, etc.

Field Value
Pattern Photo_{n}
Start 1
Increment 1
Padding 3 (zero-pads to 3 digits: 001, 002…)

The {name} placeholder inserts the original filename (without extension):

Pattern {name}_{n} → sunset_001.jpg, sunset_002.jpg

Live preview

The dialog always shows a table of Old name → New name for every selected file before you apply. Review it carefully, especially when using regex.

If two files would end up with the same name, they are highlighted in red — fix the pattern before applying.

Undo

Press Ctrl + Z immediately after to reverse the entire batch rename in a single undo. Individual file renames within the batch are reversed together.

Real-world examples

Clean up downloaded files

Before: file (1).pdf, file (2).pdf, file (3).pdf
Goal: Remove the ` (n)` duplicate suffix

Mode: Find and Replace, Regex on
Find: \s+\(\d+\)
Replace: (blank)

Add a date prefix to photos

Before: DSC_0001.jpg, DSC_0002.jpg
Goal: 2024-06-15_DSC_0001.jpg

Mode: Prefix / Suffix
Prefix: 2024-06-15_

Number a set of slides

Before: intro.pptx, overview.pptx, demo.pptx
Goal: 01_intro.pptx, 02_overview.pptx, 03_demo.pptx

Mode: Sequential Numbering
Pattern: {n}_{name}
Start: 1, Padding: 2

Tips

  • Sort first — The numbering order follows the current sort order in the file list. Sort by name, date, or size before opening Batch Rename to control which file gets which number.
  • Filter then rename — Use the filter bar (Ctrl + Shift + F) to isolate the files you want, then select all (Ctrl + A) and press F2.
  • Extension toggle — If you need to rename extensions too, enable full name mode by pressing F2 twice on single-file inline rename. For batch, the extension is always included in patterns.

See also