Spreadsheet workflow
Batch rename files with Excel or CSV
Spreadsheets are useful when the target names come from a list, catalog, SKU table, client sheet, or editorial plan. Renamio complements that planning with local preview and rename history.
What usually goes wrong
- Large rename jobs often start as a spreadsheet mapping.
- Manual copy and paste can mismatch old and new names.
- The final batch still needs collision checks and local execution.
Renamio workflow
- 1Prepare old names and target names in a sheet.
- 2Use Renamio rules and preview to match the naming plan.
- 3Apply locally and keep the batch in history for audit.
Why this workflow helps
- Works well with catalog and SKU naming
- Reduces manual mismatch risk
- Keeps local files under user control
Good fit
- Product assets
- Client delivery lists
- Research or dataset filenames
Not the right fit
- Real-time database synchronization
- Server ETL pipelines
- Editing spreadsheet formulas
Related rename tools
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Text replacement
Find and replace text in file names
Batch replace spaces, camera prefixes, duplicate markers, and repeated text in file names with live preview and undo protection.
Related guides
Numbering workflow
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Add padded sequential numbers to photos, exports, documents, and assets with preview and ordering control.
Open guideExtension workflow
Fix file extensions in bulk
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Open guideFAQ
Do I need a spreadsheet for every rename?
No. Use built-in rules for most jobs. A spreadsheet helps when target names are already planned elsewhere.
Can I combine spreadsheet planning with sequence rules?
Yes. Many users combine catalog labels, dates, and padded sequence numbers.
Preview the rename before changing files
Use Renamio locally on Windows or macOS to test the naming pattern, catch collisions, and keep rename history for review.