How to rename many screenshots at once

Finder can rename a whole batch of files in a few clicks. Here is how, step by step, and where it falls short for screenshots.

Rename a batch in Finder

1. Open the folder with your screenshots. They save to the Desktop unless you changed it.
2. Select the files: click the first, then hold ⇧ and click the last, or hold ⌘ to pick them one by one.
3. Right-click any selected file and choose Rename.
4. Pick a mode at the top of the window, then click Rename.

The three rename modes

Replace Text

Swap one piece of text for another in every name. For example, replace Screenshot with Lisbon trip.

Add Text

Add the same word before or after every name, such as a project or client name.

Format

Turn the batch into a numbered series, like Invoice 1, Invoice 2.

The catch

Finder gives every file in the batch the same kind of name. That works when the screenshots share one topic. When they’re all different, a receipt, a chat, an error, you still have to name each one yourself.

Give each screenshot its own name

Snaptitle looks at each image on your Mac and names it for what it shows. Its Tidy Up button does a whole folder at once, and good names are left alone. See Snaptitle vs renaming by hand.