Automate File Renaming in Google Drive with Apps Script
TL;DR:
- Use Google Apps Script to batch rename files in Google Drive folders
- Append consistent tags to file names for better organisation
- Perfect for managing project-specific files like stock photo downloads
- Set up triggers to run renaming scripts automatically
- Always test scripts on a few files before running on entire folders
Google Apps Script can save you hours of manual file renaming. Instead of clicking through dozens of files one by one, you can write a simple script to rename everything in a folder at once.
This works particularly well when you're downloading batches of files that need consistent naming. Stock photos from Unsplash, client assets, or project resources all benefit from systematic naming conventions.
Setting Up Your Renaming Script
Head to Google Apps Script and create a new project. You'll write a script that targets a specific folder and appends your chosen tag to every file name inside.
Here's what the basic process looks like:
Target Your Folder: The script identifies the folder you want to work with using its unique ID (found in the folder's URL).
Define Your Naming Pattern: Decide what text you want to append or prepend to each file name. For example, adding "– Stock Photo" to files in your Unsplash Downloads folder.
Run the Script: Execute it manually first to check everything works as expected.
The script will loop through each file in the folder and rename it according to your pattern. Files called "landscape.jpg" and "portrait.png" would become "landscape – Stock Photo.jpg" and "portrait – Stock Photo.png".
Adding Automation Triggers
Once your script works properly, you can set up triggers to run it automatically. This is useful if you regularly add new files to specific folders and want them renamed without manual intervention.
Time-driven triggers let you schedule the script to run daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also set up event-driven triggers that activate when files are added to watched folders.
Just remember that automated scripts will rename any new files according to your pattern, so make sure that's always what you want.
Testing and Safety
Always test your script on a copy of your files first. Create a test folder with a few sample files and run your script there. This way you can see exactly how the renaming works before applying it to important files.
Apps Script doesn't automatically create backups of your original file names. If you need to undo bulk renaming, you'll have to do it manually unless you've written a reverse function into your script.
Consider keeping a list of original file names if you're working with files you might need to revert later.
FAQs
Can I undo file renaming done with Apps Script?
There's no automatic undo function. You'll need to rename files manually or write a script that reverses the changes if you kept track of the original names.
Do renamed files keep their sharing settings?
Yes, renaming files doesn't affect their sharing permissions or settings. All existing shares and access levels remain the same.
Can I schedule automatic renaming tasks?
Yes, Apps Script includes trigger options that let you schedule renaming tasks to run at specific times or when certain events occur, like files being added to a folder.
What happens if two files end up with the same name?
Google Drive will automatically add a number to duplicate names, like "filename(1).jpg". Your script should account for this if it's a concern.
Jargon Buster
Apps Script: Google's scripting platform that automates tasks across Google applications like Drive, Sheets, and Gmail.
Batch Renaming: Renaming multiple files at once rather than doing them individually.
Triggers: Automated functions in Apps Script that run your scripts based on schedules or events like file uploads.
Folder ID: The unique identifier for each Google Drive folder, found in the folder's URL after "/folders/".
Wrap-up
Apps Script file renaming is one of those small automation wins that adds up to significant time savings. Once you've got a working script, you can adapt it for different folders and naming patterns across your Google Drive.
Start with a simple renaming task to get comfortable with the process. As you get more confident, you can build more sophisticated scripts that handle different file types, folder structures, or naming conventions.
The key is testing thoroughly and understanding exactly what your script will do before letting it loose on important files.
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