Rename files with Mac Automator - Here's how

With the Mac Automator you can automatically rename files. You can find out how to set the program here.

Pre-configure Mac Automator

First you have to start the Automator and choose the right template:

1. Start "Automator" from the Mac's Applications folder.
2. Then create a new project by clicking on "New Document" at the bottom left.
3. Now you have to select a template. To rename files, create a "program".
4. The user interface of the program is divided into several columns. On the left side you will see the "Library" templates. This includes pre-prepared process steps - for example reading files. We will transform these small building blocks into a functional program in the following steps.

Mac Automator: Building blocks for naming files

In a few steps you can now select files, rename them according to your wishes and then have them output again:

1. Select "Files & Folders" in the left column and then "Ask for Finder Objects" in the middle column. With a double click you add this procedure to your program on the right side. Your program can now ask for files.
2. In the second step, the files should be renamed. To do this, select the "Rename Finder Objects" procedure again under "Library"> "Files & Folders". Add it again with a double click. In the warning that opens, you can choose whether the original files should be overwritten with the old file names or kept. Then click "Apply". The step "Copy Finder Objects" has now been added automatically so that the renamed files can be saved in a different location.
3. The next step is to configure the program blocks. On the right side, in the "Copy Finder Objects" field, you can select the location where your renamed files are to be saved. If you want to rename several files with your program, you have to tick the "Allow selection of multiple objects" checkbox.
4. In the "Rename Finder Objects: ..." area you can set the scheme according to which the files are to be renamed. Set the options as you wish. In the lower part you get a preview of the file name assignment in the "Example".
5. The last step is to save the program. To do this, select "File"> "Save" in the navigation bar. Set the "file format" to "program" and enter any file name and storage location.

Rename files with Mac Automator

The created program is versatile and can be used again and again:

1. Now find the location in the Finder where you saved your program in the last step. Start it with a double click.
2. The steps that were created in the Automator are now carried out one after the other. In the first window, select the file (s) you want to rename. Then the files are automatically copied to the output folder and renamed there.

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