Rename files and folders in Finder

Why it happens

On a Mac, Return is the rename key in Finder, not the open key. That catches a lot of people out at first. Finder also has a built-in tool for renaming a whole batch of files in one go.

How to fix it

1. Click the file or folder once to select it.

2. Press Return. The name turns into a box you can type in.

3. Type the new name and press Return again. Press Escape instead if you change your mind.

4. Prefer the mouse? Control-click or right-click the item and choose Rename. With several items selected, the same menu opens a window where you can replace a word in every name, add text, or give them all one name with a number.

   Finder›Control-click›Rename

Still not fixed?

1. Pressing Return to open a file? Press Command-O or Command-Down Arrow instead. Double-clicking works too.

2. Changing the ending, like .txt to .md, shows a warning. Pick the button that uses the new ending only if you mean it, because the wrong ending can stop the file opening in the right app. To stop that warning, untick Show warning before changing an extension in Finder settings.

   Finder›Settings…›Advanced›Show warning before changing an extension

3. If the name won't change, the file may be locked. Select it, choose File > Get Info and untick Locked.

   Finder›File›Get Info›General›Locked

4. If it says you don't have permission, the item belongs to another user or the system. Check Sharing & Permissions in the same Get Info window, or copy the file to your own folder and rename the copy.

5. If a file can't be renamed because it's in use, quit the app that has it open and try again. If renaming fails everywhere after a restart, contact Apple Support.