Table of Contents
Renaming files
Learn how to rename files, optionally using metadata fields as the basis for file names.
23. June 2026
Table of Contents
Overview
This topic explains how you can change the different date stamps on the files in your archives.
About file renaming
Fotostation has a very useful tool for renaming a single file or an entire batch of files in a simple, straightforward manner.
To rename files in an archive, select the files you would like to rename, then go to Image > Rename. You can also access the Rename function by right-clicking the image or by selecting one or more files and pressing the F2 key.)
In the Rename dialog, you can choose to change the file name or only its extension.
Changing the file name
When changing the filename, you can insert metadata field codes to use the information from the selected field. Note that if the metadata field you select is empty and you don’t enter anything else into the field, then the text Empty field will be inserted as the file name.
By selecting Use incremental number, you can insert a number anywhere in the file name that increments by 1 for each file. Note that this option is available only if you selected more than one file before you opened the Rename dialog. Also, when selecting the checkbox, the OK button will be disabled and replaced with OK All.
Example: To rename a number of files according to the content of the Byline field, followed by a running number, enter, for example, #080_0001 in the Filename field and turn on incremental numbering. This will give the renamed files the photographer's name as entered in the Byline field, followed by an underscore and a running number starting at 0001.
Changing the file extension
Note
When you change a file’s extension, your system may recognize it as another type of file. This could affect which program your system starts when you double-click the file in Windows Explorer or the Mac Finder, or when you open the file in an external application from within Fotostation. (Shortcut key Ctrl+Enter/Command–O)
If you only selected one file before opening the Rename dialog, you can’t use incremental numbering (the option is disabled), and the OK All button will not be available.
When sorting files by their file names, always use leading zeroes (e.g., 001_FileName.txt) to ensure they are sorted in the correct order.
Renaming order
Files are renamed in the order they are selected in the grid, so this will affect the order in which running numbers and other dynamic content are added to the file name.