How to batch rename files online
- Drag your files onto the upload area above, or click it to choose them.
- Add rename steps. Each step runs in order, so you can combine rules such as a prefix, a date, and a new extension.
- Check the preview table. Every original name sits next to its new name before anything is downloaded.
- Click Download Renamed Files to save renamed copies as a ZIP.
Files are renamed in your browser and never uploaded, and your originals stay untouched because you download copies. It works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebook.
Rename steps you can combine
- Text: Find & Replace, Replace Multiple, Insert Text, Remove Characters, Trim Spaces/Special Characters, Remove Accents/Diacritics, Change Case, Reverse Name, RegExp Extract/Replace
- Numbers: Numbering (decimal, letters, or Roman numerals), Pad Numbers, Randomize Filenames
- Dates and metadata: Insert Date/Time, Extract Date from EXIF, Use File Creation/Modified Date, Use Metadata Variables, Custom Variables
- Extensions: Change Extension, Add Extension, Remove Extension
- Logic: Conditional Step, to apply a rule only to files that match
Bulk rename examples
| Before | After | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| IMG_4821.JPG | smith-wedding_img_4821.jpg | Insert Text, Change Case (lower) |
| DSC0042.jpg | 2026-09-24_DSC0042.jpg | Extract Date from EXIF (YYYY-MM-DD_) |
| Final Draft v2.pdf | final-draft-v2.pdf | Replace Multiple (spaces to hyphens), Change Case (lower) |
| scan-001.jpeg | scan-001.jpg | Change Extension |
Not sure which naming rule to use? The guide to batch renaming files on Windows, Mac, and online covers naming rules that scale, and the photography file naming convention shows how photographers name files for client review.
Frequently asked questions
Is the online batch file renamer free?
Yes, you can use it without an account. The free plan allows rename recipes of up to two steps and one ZIP download a week. Pro removes both limits.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Files are renamed in your browser and the ZIP is built on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Does it change my original files?
No. You download renamed copies in a ZIP file, so the originals on your computer stay exactly as they were.
Does it work on Mac, Windows, and Chromebook?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser, so there is nothing to install on Windows, macOS, Linux, or ChromeOS.
Can I rename photos by the date they were taken?
Yes. Add the Extract Date from EXIF step to read the capture date from each photo and insert it into the filename in the format you choose.
Can I change file extensions in bulk?
Yes. Use the Change Extension step. Changing the extension renames the file only; it does not convert the file to a different format.