How to Batch Rename Multiple Files

Master batch file renaming and organize hundreds of files instantly with custom patterns, sequential numbering, and intelligent sorting

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Quick Overview

100x Faster
Than Manual Renaming
10,000+
Files Per Batch
7 Sort Options
For Perfect Ordering
Live Preview
Before Applying

Why Use Batch Renaming?

Batch renaming is essential for anyone who works with large collections of files. Instead of tediously renaming files one by one—which is error-prone and time-consuming—batch renaming lets you apply consistent naming patterns to hundreds or thousands of files instantly. This creates organized, professional file structures that are easy to navigate and manage.

Massive Time Savings

Manually renaming files is one of the most tedious tasks in file management. What might take hours of repetitive work becomes a matter of seconds with batch renaming.

  • Rename 1,000 files in under a minute
  • Eliminate repetitive clicking and typing
  • Process entire folders instantly
  • Free up time for more important tasks
  • Reduce risk of repetitive strain injuries

Professional Organization

Consistent file naming creates professional, organized file structures. Sequential numbering ensures files sort correctly and are easy to find and reference.

  • Create consistent naming conventions
  • Ensure proper alphabetical/numerical sorting
  • Make files easy to search and locate
  • Present professional file deliverables
  • Simplify collaboration with team members

Error Prevention

Manual renaming is prone to typos, inconsistencies, and skipped files. Batch renaming applies the same pattern uniformly, eliminating human error entirely.

  • No more typos or spelling inconsistencies
  • Guaranteed sequential numbering without gaps
  • Consistent separators and formatting
  • Preview before applying catches mistakes
  • Uniform padding for proper sort order

Flexible Sorting Options

Control the order files are numbered with intelligent sorting. Whether you need chronological order, alphabetical arrangement, or size-based sequencing, BatchMorph handles it.

  • Sort by upload order for manual control
  • Alphabetical sorting (A-Z or Z-A)
  • Date-based sorting (newest or oldest first)
  • Size-based sorting (largest or smallest first)
  • Stable sorting preserves original order for ties

Step-by-Step Batch Renaming Guide

Follow these comprehensive steps to master batch file renaming and transform your file organization workflow:

Step 1: Upload Your Files

Start by uploading all the files you want to rename. BatchMorph accepts any file type and offers multiple upload methods for convenience.

Upload Methods:

  • Drag and Drop: Drag files directly from your file explorer onto the upload zone
  • Click to Browse: Click the upload zone to open a file browser
  • Multi-Select: Use Ctrl+Click or Shift+Click to select multiple files
  • Folder Upload: Select entire folders to upload all contained files
Tier Limits: Free accounts can rename up to 5 files per batch. Pro users get 100 files, Business gets 1,000 files, and Enterprise gets 10,000 files per batch.

Step 2: Sort Your Files

Before applying sequential numbers, choose how your files should be ordered. The sort order determines which file gets number 1, which gets number 2, and so on.

Available Sort Options:

  • Upload Order: Files are numbered in the order you uploaded them (default)
  • Name (A-Z): Alphabetical order from A to Z
  • Name (Z-A): Reverse alphabetical order from Z to A
  • Date (Newest First): Most recently modified files get lower numbers
  • Date (Oldest First): Oldest files get lower numbers
  • Size (Largest First): Biggest files get lower numbers
  • Size (Smallest First): Smallest files get lower numbers
Pro Tip: For photo collections, use "Date (Oldest First)" to number photos chronologically. For video projects, use "Name (A-Z)" if your files have scene or take numbers in their names.

Step 3: Configure Naming Pattern

Set up your desired naming pattern using the following options. Each setting gives you control over how your renamed files will look.

Pattern Settings:

  • Base Name: The descriptive text before the number (e.g., "Vacation Photo", "Project File", "Video Clip")
  • Start Number: The first number in the sequence (usually 1, but can be any number)
  • Number Padding: How many digits to use (001 vs 01 vs 1) - padding ensures proper sorting
  • Separator: Character between base name and number (space, underscore, dash, dot, or none)

Example Patterns:

  • "Vacation Photo 001.jpg" (space separator, 3-digit padding)
  • "Project_File_01.docx" (underscore separator, 2-digit padding)
  • "Chapter-1.pdf" (dash separator, no padding)
  • "Slide.001.png" (dot separator, 3-digit padding)
Why Use Padding? Number padding ensures files sort correctly. Without padding, "File 10" sorts before "File 2" alphabetically. With padding, "File 02" correctly sorts before "File 10".

Step 4: Preview Your Changes

Before applying any changes, review the live preview table showing the original file names alongside their new names. This lets you catch any issues before committing to the rename.

Preview Features:

  • Side-by-Side Comparison: See original name → new name for every file
  • File Extensions: Extensions are preserved and displayed separately
  • File Size: View file sizes to verify correct file selection
  • Instant Updates: Preview updates in real-time as you change settings
  • Update Preview Button: Click to refresh the table with current settings
Double-Check: Always verify the first and last files in your preview. This confirms your sort order is correct and your numbering starts and ends where you expect.

Step 5: Apply and Download

Once satisfied with the preview, click "Apply Rename & Download" to process your files. BatchMorph will rename all files and package them into a convenient ZIP archive.

Download Details:

  • ZIP Archive: All renamed files bundled in one compressed download
  • Preserved Quality: Files are renamed, not converted—no quality loss
  • Original Extensions: File extensions are preserved exactly
  • Instant Processing: Renaming is nearly instantaneous regardless of batch size
  • Browser Download: ZIP file downloads directly to your default downloads folder

Understanding Sort Options

Choosing the right sort order is crucial for getting files numbered the way you want. Here's when to use each option:

Upload Order

Best for: When you've carefully selected files in a specific order

Files are numbered in the exact order you uploaded them. Perfect when you've manually arranged files before uploading or when the upload sequence represents your desired order.

Name (A-Z / Z-A)

Best for: Files with meaningful names or existing numbering

Alphabetical sorting is ideal when your original file names contain useful ordering information, like "Scene01", "Scene02", or when you want files grouped by name prefix.

Date (Newest/Oldest First)

Best for: Photos, screenshots, or time-sensitive content

Date sorting uses the file's "last modified" timestamp. Perfect for photo collections, daily screenshots, or any files where chronological order matters.

Size (Largest/Smallest First)

Best for: Video projects, prioritizing by file importance

Size sorting arranges files by their byte size. Useful for video projects where larger files are often primary content, or when organizing by file importance/complexity.

Common Batch Renaming Scenarios

Photo Collections

Rename vacation photos, event pictures, or product shots with consistent naming.

Tip: Use "Date (Oldest First)" + base name like "Beach Trip 001.jpg"

Video Projects

Organize raw footage, clips, or rendered scenes for video editing.

Tip: Use "Name (A-Z)" if clips have scene numbers, or "Size (Largest)" for main takes

Document Management

Standardize invoice names, reports, or client deliverables.

Tip: Use underscore separator for compatibility: "Invoice_001.pdf"

Music & Audio

Rename podcast episodes, music tracks, or audio samples.

Tip: Use 2-digit padding for albums under 100 tracks: "Track 01.mp3"

Screenshots

Clean up screenshot collections with meaningful names.

Tip: Use "Date (Newest First)" to number recent screenshots first

Archive Organization

Prepare files for backup or long-term storage with consistent naming.

Tip: Use 4-digit padding for large archives: "Archive_0001.zip"

Batch Renaming Best Practices

Preparation Tips

  • Decide on your naming convention before uploading
  • Choose appropriate padding for your batch size (3 digits for 100+ files)
  • Use underscores or dashes for maximum compatibility
  • Avoid special characters that some systems don't support
  • Keep base names concise but descriptive
  • Consider how files will sort in your file manager
  • Test with a small batch before processing large collections

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using no padding leads to incorrect sorting (1, 10, 2, 3...)
  • Spaces in file names can cause issues in some systems
  • Forgetting to check sort order before applying
  • Using overly long base names that get truncated
  • Not previewing before downloading
  • Using characters like / \ : * ? " < > | in names
  • Renaming without keeping original backups

Frequently Asked Questions

No, your original files remain untouched. BatchMorph creates copies with the new names and packages them into a ZIP download. Your originals stay exactly as they are on your computer.

You can rename any file type. BatchMorph works with images (JPG, PNG, HEIC), videos (MP4, MOV), documents (PDF, DOCX), audio files (MP3, WAV), and any other file format. The file extension is always preserved.

Date sorting uses the file's "last modified" timestamp as reported by your browser. This is typically when the file was last saved or edited. For photos from cameras, this usually reflects when the photo was taken.

BatchMorph uses "stable sorting" which means if two files have identical values for the sort criteria (same date or same size), they maintain their relative upload order. This ensures consistent, predictable results every time.

The limit depends on your subscription tier: Free (5 files), Pro (100 files), Business (1,000 files), and Enterprise (10,000 files). View pricing to find the right plan for your needs.

Ready to Organize Your Files?

Start batch renaming your files now with custom patterns and intelligent sorting.

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