The following article is for File List, which works on Tiger (Mac OS 10.4). The developer, Peter Maurer, has rewritten and renamed it Name Mangler for Leopard (Mac OS 10.5). There is still a link on that page to download File List if you have Tiger.

Rename Files in Batches with File List

[First published on my old Mac blog on 11/19/2007]

It is easy to rename one or two files on the Mac, but what if you have dozens or even hundreds of photos or other files that you want to rename? You could spend time creating a specialized tool with AppleScript or Automator, but that takes time and skills you might not have. An easier way to go is with a utility that renames files in batches. The best of its kind is File List by Peter Maurer of Many Tricks.

After you download File List, put it in your Applications or Utilities folder. Then drag it into the toolbar of the Finder so it is available whenever you need it. Next, click on it and choose the Preferences icon in its toolbar. There you can tell it what it is supposed to do when you open it. Choose "Populate with current Finder selection" to have it choose the files you have already highlighted in the Finder. Now any time you are in the Finder, you can select files and click on File List in the Finder toolbar to begin renaming. (File List also works with the paid Finder alternative, Path Finder.)

File List is easy to use. Besides preselecting files and then clicking on its icon in the Finder toolbar, you can drag and drop files onto its icon or application window. However you select your files, a file list will appear on the left and the renaming options on the right. Choose one of the following renaming methods:

• • Find and replace

• • Number sequentially

• • Set extension

• • Add prefix/suffix

• • Remove/insert characters

• • Change case

• • Advanced (lets you set up a more complicated sequence of changes)

After you propose a renaming method, you can see what the names will actually look like before you commit yourself to them. Once you are satisfied, click the renaming button at the bottom of the window and watch the magic happen.

File List behaves differently than other applications in that it does not use the Mac's menubar or place an icon in the Dock. Also, when you are done with the application, it will automatically shut down.

Peter Maurer offers File List as donationware. If you use it and find it offers you real value, click on his PayPal donation link and send him some money.