How to bulk rename files in Google Drive
Google Drive has never shipped a native way to rename more than one file at a time — the built-in option is right-click, rename, one file, repeat. This guide covers how to mass rename Google Drive files in one pass instead, using Drive File Renamer, with a live preview before anything actually changes.
- 1
Open Drive File Renamer and sign in with Google
No install, no extension. Sign in and Google's own permission screen shows exactly what's being requested — the narrow drive.file scope, which can only ever see files you explicitly pick next.
- 2
Select the files or folder you want to rename
Click individual files, or select a whole folder — every file inside it is pulled in automatically, including subfolders and Shared Drive folders, so you don't need to open and re-select nested folders one by one.
- 3
Build a rename pattern
Turn on any combination of rules: find & replace (plain text or full regex), case transform, metadata insertion (date, size, or EXIF data for photos), prefix/suffix, today's date, and sequential numbering. They combine in a fixed order and always leave the file extension untouched.
- 4
Preview every change before anything happens
Click Preview changes to see every file's current name next to what it would become, color-coded so it's obvious what will change, what won't, and what failed — before a single file is touched.
- 5
Apply the rename
Click Apply rename — the only step that actually writes anything to Drive. The batch is immediately saved to history.
- 6
Undo instantly if anything looks wrong
Every applied batch stays in history with example old → new names. One click on Undo reverts the entire batch, and the last 20 batches are always available.
What you can rename Google Drive files by
Text find & replace or full regex, UPPERCASE/lowercase/Title Case/Sentence case, real file metadata (created/modified date, size, or EXIF data for photos), a prefix or suffix, today's date, and sequential numbering. The same rules apply identically to any file type, including PDFs. Full breakdown of every rule on the features page, or the field-by-field walkthrough on the guide page.
Free vs. paid
Free accounts can rename up to 50 files per run, unlimited runs, every rule type included. Paid removes the per-run cap: $19.99 once, forever, or $7.99/month — see pricing.
Try it now
No install, no broad permissions. Pick your files and see the preview in under a minute.
Launch the app