What it does
Uses a settings sheet (Bulk_File_Rename) to loop through a defined list of files to rename.  Note – most file types can be renamed, not just Excel files.  While you can use a new file extension as a part of the new file name, use caution when doing this as it may have unintended consequences.  If using a new file extension, consider either making a backup of files or using the Bulk Copy Paste macro to make copies of the files you want to rename.

When to use it
When you want to rename many different files within one or more folders.

Why to use it
It’s an efficient way to rename a lot of different files (Excel and most other file types) within one or many different folders.  This also ensures the files are renamed very specifically and consistently, which is required for many applications that work with Excel.

Default shortcut
None

Other Details

• Category: Sheets / Files and Folders
• Difficulty: 3/5
• Usage/frequency: 3/5
• Automation factor: 5/5 (estimated 300 seconds saved each time used)
• Type: Bulk
• Date added: 9/6/2018
• Tags: bulk, file, rename

Related Macros
Bulk File Copy
Bulk Copy Paste
Create Subfolders
List Directory Contents

Other Articles
None

Bulk File Rename Example File

Prerequisites
Identify the file(s) you want to rename and the new names you want to give them.

Instructions
After you have identified the files to rename and new names to give them,, run the Bulk File Rename macro.  The first time you run it, it will create a sheet called Bulk_File_Rename.  These are the columns within the Bulk_File_Rename sheet you’ll want to fill in:

• Column A – Folder Path (required): for each file to rename, enter the entire folder path that contains the file (excluding the file name).
• Column B – Old File Name (required) – enter the existing file name (including the file extension) for each file to rename. To get a list of existing files (including the full file path) within a folder, run the List Directory Contents macro and copy the folder paths and file names you want to rename into this sheet.
• Column C – New File Name (required) – enter the new file name (including the file extension) for each file to paste. Be very careful if looking to change file extensions – making backup copies of files to rename is advised.  Also note that the files are processed in the order listed in the Bulk_File_Rename sheet. If you want to reuse file names within your list (such as to re-order files), you must list them carefully in order. For example, to rename File1.xlsx to File2.xlsx and File2.xlsx to File3.xlsx, you should list them in reverse order so that File2.xlsx is renamed to File3.xlsx first, so that there is no duplicate file name issue trying to rename File1.xlsx to File2.xlsx.