How to Rename Multiple Files at Once on Mac

Finder can rename dozens of files in one go with no extra software. You select the files, choose a rule, and every name changes together.

Select the files in Finder

Open the folder and select the files. Click the first one, then hold Shift and click the last for a range, or hold Cmd and click each file you want. Press Cmd + A to select everything in the folder.

Open the rename dialog

Right-click any selected file and choose Rename N Items, where N is the number you selected. You can also choose File, Rename N Items from the menu bar.

Choose a rename rule

The pop-up menu at the top-left of the dialog has three modes.

Replace Text swaps one string for another in every name. Type the text to find and what to replace it with, for example IMG_ to Vacation-.

Add Text puts text before or after each existing name, for a prefix or suffix.

Format builds new names from scratch. Choose Name and Index, Name and Counter, or Name and Date, type the base name in the Custom Format field, and set Start numbers at to the first number you want. The Where menu puts the number after or before the name.

Check the example and click Rename

The Example line at the bottom of the dialog previews the result for the first file. When it looks right, click Rename. File extensions are kept as they were, and the files keep their contents, dates, and tags.

Undo if the result is wrong

Press Cmd + Z in Finder right away, or choose Edit, Undo Rename, and every file gets its old name back. Undo covers the most recent Finder action only, so do it before moving or renaming anything else.

If the numbering comes out in the wrong order. The index follows the order the files are listed in the Finder window. Sort the window by name or by date before selecting, then rename again.

If Rename N Items is missing from the menu. You do not have permission to write to that folder, or the files are on a read-only disk. Copy them to a folder in your home directory and rename them there.