How to rename files on a Mac: one, many, or automatically

Rename one file, or hundreds at once with Finder’s Rename tool, pick a naming pattern that sorts itself, and let new files and screenshots get named for you.

Last checked 3 min read

Part of Tidy your Mac · How to tidy up your Mac: Desktop, Downloads, files and storage

Downloads
  • document (3).pdf2026-10 Pay stub Northwind.pdfMoney
  • scan_0042.pdf2026-09 Electricity bill.pdfHome
  • IMG_4471.HEICPassport scan.heicID
  • download.pdf2026 Lease agreement.pdfHome
  • W2_final_v2.pdf2025 W-2 Northwind.pdfTaxes

In short

To rename one file, select it, press Return and type.To rename many, select them, Control-click › Rename and choose Replace text, Add Text or Format. Finder changes names by pattern; it can’t read what a file is. Start names with the date (2026-10 Payslip Northwind.pdf) so they sort themselves. Kempt reads each new file and screenshot and writes that kind of name for you.

Without any app

  1. One file

    Select it, press Return (or force click the name), type, and press Return again. Names can’t contain a colon or start with a period.

  2. Many files at once

    Select them, Control-click › Rename. Replace text swaps a word in every name; Add Text puts words before or after; Format gives a base name with an index, counter or date. Click Rename.

  3. A pattern that sorts itself

    Year-month first, then what it is, then who from: “2026-10 Payslip Northwind.pdf”. Sorted by name, files fall in date order and the same papers line up.

  4. Rename from a Shortcut

    macOS 26 Tahoe brings Shortcuts automations to the Mac, including a Folder trigger when files are added. A Rename File action can then apply a fixed pattern, though not a name based on what the file says.

Ways to rename files on a Mac
MethodGood forLimit
Return in FinderOne fileOne at a time
Finder › Rename (several files)Same change across many namesPattern only, can’t read contents
Shortcuts automation (Tahoe and later)A fixed rule on new files in a folderDoesn’t know what a PDF is
KemptNames from what the document saysSupported files; unsure names wait for you

With Kempt

  1. 1

    Names from the content

    Kempt reads each supported file that lands in Downloads (PDFs and scans with OCR, images, Word, text) and writes a name with what it is, who sent it and which month, shown live in the notch.

  2. 2

    Screenshots too

    New Desktop screenshots get a name from what they show, with their capture time, instead of “Screenshot” and a timestamp.

  3. 3

    Any file, from Finder

    Select files and choose Services › Rename with Kempt. Names Kempt doubts go to “Needs a look”, and every rename can be undone.

Names, files and finds your documents with Apple’s on-device model. Processed on your Mac.

$27 once, 14 days freeRuns on every Apple silicon MacA question? Ask a person

Questions people ask

How do I batch rename files on a Mac?

Select the files, Control-click › Rename, choose Replace text, Add Text or Format, then click Rename.

What is the shortcut to rename a file on a Mac?

Select the file and press Return.

Can a Mac rename files automatically?

With a pattern, yes: a Shortcuts automation on a folder (macOS 26 and later). By content, macOS can’t; Kempt can, on your Mac.

How do I rename PDFs by their content?

See the guide on renaming PDFs by content: Preview and Finder can’t, an app that reads the PDF can.

How do I rename a file on a Mac with Terminal?

Use mv: mv "old name.pdf" "new name.pdf" in the file’s folder. Finder’s Rename is safer for many files, because it shows the result before applying it.

How do I rename a folder on a Mac?

The same way as a file: select it, press Return, type the new name and press Return.

Why can’t I rename a file on my Mac?

The file may be open in an app, locked (File › Get Info › Locked), or in a folder you can’t write to. Close it or unlock it and try again.

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