Rename files using Excel - OldName / NewName

This python script will do what you want.

Copy the files to a new Folder on your Desktop (untitled folder on My Desktop in the script below).

Save As the Excel File to a CSV File (Book1.csv on My Desktop in the script below).

Run the script in Terminal, and the files in untitled folder should be renamed)

#!/usr/bin/python

import csv
import os

# Change to Directory with files (Be safe, Copy files to a new Folder)
os.chdir('/Users/Tony/Desktop/untitled folder')
# Rename from name in col 1 to name in col 2 in CSV File)
with open('/Users/Tony/Desktop/Book1.csv') as f:
	lines = csv.reader(f)
	for line in lines:
		try:
			os.rename(line[0], line[1])
		except:
			print(line[0] + ': File not found')

You can do this by first saving the Excel File as a CSV file, then using a script in Terminal to rename the files.

The safest way to do this is to create a new Folder on the Desktop and COPY the files there, so that originals are not worked on.

Export to a CSV file, then post the first few lines, starting with row 1 (even if this is the header file). Blank out any sensitive info with “xxx”.

With this info, we can help writing the script.

Hello 102monkeys,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

If we understand your post correctly, you want to know how to rename files using Excel. We're here to help!

Below are the steps on how to rename multiple items on your Mac. If you want to use Excel to rename these files, we recommend checking out Microsoft Excel support.

Excel help & learning

"Rename multiple items

1. On your Mac, select the items, then Control-click one of them.
2. In the shortcut menu, choose Rename.
3. In the pop-up menu below Rename Finder Items, choose to replace text in the names, add text to the names, or change the name format.

• • Replace text: Enter the text you want to remove in the Find field, then enter the text you want to add in the “Replace with” field.
  • Add text: Enter the text you want to add in the field, then choose to add the text before or after the current name.
  • Format: Choose a name format for the files, then choose to put the index, counter, or date before or after the name. Enter a name in the Custom Format field, then enter the number you want to start with.

1. Click Rename.

These are some items you should not rename:

• App folders and any items that came with your system, such as the Library folder. (If you change the name of an item and experience problems, change the name back. If this doesn’t help, you may need to reinstall the software.)
• Filename extensions—the period followed by a few letters or words that you see at the end of some filenames (for example, .jpg). If you change an extension, you may no longer be able to open the file with the app that was used to create it.
• Your home folder—the one with your name on it."

Rename files, folders, and disks on Mac

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