How to batch rename files on a Mac
Finder can already rename in bulk, and for many jobs that is enough. Here is what it does, and where it stops.
Finder's built-in batch rename
Select several files, right-click and choose "Rename N Items". You get three modes: replace text, add text as a prefix or suffix, and format using name plus index, counter or date. No extra software needed.
What it cannot do: regular expressions; a full preview before committing; early warning about name collisions; fine control over the starting number and digit padding; or combining several rules in one pass.
When you need regex and a preview
Rightora's batch rename fills those gaps: find and replace, prefixes, suffixes, numbering, dates and regular expressions can be combined, there is a live preview, conflicts are flagged before anything runs, and each write goes to a temporary file that is swapped atomically, with a cancellable progress panel and a failure report. It is a Pro feature, fully covered by the 14-day trial.
Common jobs
- Archive photos by date: date plus sequence turns IMG_1234.JPG into 2026-09-11-001.jpg.
- Strip download suffixes: a regex such as
[-_]?\d{{4,}}$clears random trailing digits in one pass. - Apply a project prefix: makes a batch of deliverables searchable.
If you get it wrong
Finder's rename supports undo with ⌘Z immediately afterwards, though not reliably once you have done something else. Checking a preview first is the safer habit, which is exactly why preview-based tools feel less risky.
FAQ
Can Finder's batch rename be undone?
Yes, with ⌘Z right afterwards. Once you have performed other actions or closed the window, it may no longer be on the undo stack.
Can batch renaming lose files?
A sound implementation will not. Rightora detects name collisions first and applies the policy you chose (ask, keep both, replace), and deletions only ever go to the Trash.
Does Mac batch rename support regular expressions?
Finder's built-in rename does not. You need a third-party tool for that; Rightora's batch rename supports regex with a live preview.
Core enhancements free forever · Pro $3.99/yr or $8.99 lifetime · macOS 14+