How do i use automator to rename files

This could be vacation-pics or Work Conference Vegas. Whatever you type here will be the new name of all the files. After this name Automator will now add sequential numbers. You can enter the number you want to start with, and how you want the number separated.

Note: This current workflow will not look in folders, but will instead treat folders as files to rename. There is a way to get the workflow to look in folders, but for now, make sure you only add individual files here. Click the Run button in the top right corner of the window. Once the workflow runs, you should see all green checks in the Log at the bottom of the screen.

Using this method, the files will be named sequentially in the order they were added to the Finder Items window. When you have your workflow set up just how you want it, click the File menu, then Save. This will bring up the Save dialog box. Enter a descriptive name, then you have an option.

If you plan on changing anything in this workflow later, like the base name or the numbering, save it as a Workflow. This is great for processing files on the fly. Choose a suitable destination for it -- a new folder on the desktop should be perfect.

There is one last thing I am going to change and that is within Rename Finder Items. Also change Add number to to new name , set this to whatever you like, I have named it image. Save the workflow as a batch rename application by going to the File menu and choose 'Save As To rename your images, simpley drag them over the icon and release.

Automator will spring into life, copy and bulk rename your images, and save them to the destination you specified in the workflow. If it is successful it should have copied all the images and renamed them image-1, image-2, image-3 and so on in the folder that you chose. The advantage of saving the workflow as a batch rename application is you can use it over and over again.

If you need to change the settings in the workflow, open the "application" in Automator. But its nice to know that there are alternatives, for example if you don't have an internet connection and can't download NameChanger. May 21, PM in response to mac-a-rooney In response to mac-a-rooney. Each action usually has an option to show it when the workflow is run, so if your workflow is fairly simple you can just use that and fill in the details at run time.

Each action also usually has an option to ignore the items input to it - in my example, steps 3 and 5 use it to keep the previous results from getting mixed in. May 21, PM. Page content loaded. Indeed such a software is probably the easiest way to solve my problem. Nonetheless I'd like to make use of the Automator with a practical example at hand, just to learn a bit more about how it works. May 27, AM. What I couldn't figure out yet is HOW to set the option to show an action during runtime.

From your comment I understand however, it is possible, that instead of dragging and dropping the files from a finder window into automator and run the workflow there, it might also be possible to be asked for the files I want to rename during runtime, while the workflow has been startet as a service from anywhere in OS X without any need for the automator to be open at this time, right? May 27, AM in response to mac-a-rooney In response to mac-a-rooney. Automator variables are just storage containers that can be used as a place to put objects in.