Help & User Guide
Umbe renames files in batches. You drop in your files, build a stack of rules, see the new names in a live preview, then click Rename. This guide walks through everything you need to know.
Quick Start
- Add files — drag and drop any files or folders onto the Umbe window, or click the add button and use the file picker.
- Add a rule — click Add Rule and choose the type of rename operation you want to apply.
- Check the preview — the New Name column updates immediately. Any naming conflicts appear highlighted in red.
- Rename — once everything looks right, click the Rename button. Umbe applies every rule to every file at once.
The File List
The main window shows three columns: the original filename, the preview of the new name (updated live), and the file's location on disk. You can drag files to reorder them — this matters if you are using a Number Sequence rule, because the order in the list determines which file gets which number.
To remove a file from the batch, select it and press Delete or use the right-click menu. Removing a file from Umbe does not delete it from your Mac — it only removes it from the rename batch.
Rules Reference
Rules are applied in order from top to bottom. Each rule's output feeds into the next rule. You can reorder rules by dragging them, or remove a rule with the × button.
Replace Text
Finds a string in each filename and replaces it with something else. The search is case-sensitive by default. Leave the replacement field empty to simply delete the matched text. Useful for removing camera-generated strings like "DSC_" or "IMG_".
Add Prefix
Adds text before the filename. Type anything into the prefix field — for example "2026-Scotland-" to mark a batch of travel photos.
Add Suffix
Adds text after the filename but before the extension. Use this to append labels like "-final" or "-web" to processed files.
Number Sequence
Adds an auto-incrementing number to each file. You can configure:
- Start — the first number in the sequence (e.g. 1, or 001, or 100)
- Step — how much to increment per file (default: 1)
- Padding — minimum digits, zero-padded (e.g. padding 3 produces 001, 002, 010)
- Separator — a character placed between the existing name and the number, such as "-" or "_"
- Position — add the number before or after the rest of the name
The numbering follows the order of files in the list. Reorder the list before renaming to control which file gets which number.
Change Case
Transforms the capitalisation of every filename. Options:
- lowercase — all characters become lowercase
- UPPERCASE — all characters become uppercase
- Title Case — the first letter of each word is capitalised
- camelCase — words are joined with no spaces, each word after the first starting with a capital letter
Remove Text
Strips a specific pattern from every filename at once. Unlike Replace Text, this rule is designed for removing repeated boilerplate strings across your whole batch in one go.
Date (Fixed)
Stamps every file with a specific date you choose. Pick the date, choose a format (e.g. YYYY-MM-DD, DD-MM-YYYY), and choose whether to add it as a prefix or suffix. Useful for batches that all belong to a single event or date.
Date from Metadata
Reads the EXIF date-taken field from each photo and uses that date in the filename. Unlike Date (Fixed), each file gets its own date pulled from its own metadata — so a folder of photos from different days will each get the correct date. This rule only works on files that contain EXIF data (most JPEGs and HEICs from cameras and phones).
Live Preview & Conflicts
The New Name column updates the instant you change any rule or setting. This lets you experiment freely — nothing is changed on disk until you click Rename.
If two or more files in your batch would end up with the same name, both are flagged in red in the preview. The Rename button is disabled until all conflicts are resolved. Fix conflicts by adjusting your rules — for example, adding a Number Sequence rule ensures every file gets a unique name.
Presets
Once you have a rule stack that works, save it as a preset so you can reapply it in one click next time. Click the Save Preset button, give it a name, and it appears in the presets list. Presets are stored locally on your Mac — they are not synced to iCloud or any server.
To load a preset, open the presets list and click the name. Your current rule stack is replaced with the preset's rules. To delete a preset, select it in the list and press Delete.
Undoing a Rename
After a rename, an Undo button appears. Clicking it restores every file to its original name in one action — the entire batch is reversed at once. Undo is only available within the same session; closing the window or quitting Umbe clears the undo history.
Tips & Tricks
- Stack rules for complex results. For example: Remove Text (strips "IMG_") → Add Prefix ("2026-Iceland-") → Number Sequence → Change Case (lowercase). Each rule feeds the next.
- Use Replace Text to fix extensions. If your files have ".JPEG" instead of ".jpg", a Replace Text rule handles that across the whole batch instantly.
- Reorder the file list before numbering. Sort your files in Finder before dragging them in, or drag them within Umbe's list to get the right numbering order.
- Date from Metadata works best with originals. If photos have been re-saved or processed by other apps, the EXIF date may have been stripped. Always preview the result before renaming.
- Test on a small set first. When trying a new rule combination, drag in a few representative files, verify the preview, then add the rest of the batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Umbe move or copy my files?
No. Umbe only renames files in place. They stay exactly where they are on disk — only the filename changes.
Can I rename files in different folders at the same time?
Yes. Umbe doesn't care where files live. You can drop in files from multiple different folders and rename them all in one pass.
What happens to file extensions?
Umbe treats extensions separately from the filename. Rules like Add Prefix and Change Case apply to the name part only — the extension is not affected unless you explicitly target it with a Replace Text or Remove Text rule.
Can I undo a rename after closing the app?
No. Undo is only available during the current session. Once you close Umbe, the undo history is gone. If you need to reverse a rename later, add the already-renamed files back in and apply a reverse rule set.
Does Umbe work with folders, not just files?
Yes. You can rename folders the same way you rename files. Drop them into the list and apply rules — Umbe treats folder names exactly like file names.
The Rename button is greyed out — why?
This happens when there are naming conflicts in the preview (two files that would end up with the same name). Look for red highlights in the New Name column and adjust your rules until all names are unique.
Troubleshooting
"Date from Metadata" shows no date for some files
This means the file doesn't have EXIF date data — it may have been stripped by another app, or the file type doesn't support EXIF (e.g. PNG files generally don't carry camera metadata). Use Date (Fixed) instead for those files, or mix it with another rule.
Rename fails with a permission error
Umbe can only rename files your Mac account has permission to modify. Files on read-only volumes, in system-protected locations, or owned by another user will fail. Move them to a writable location first.
My files disappeared from the list after I dropped them in
Check if you accidentally dragged them onto an existing file in the list rather than onto the empty list area. Try scrolling to the bottom of the list — the files may have been added below the visible area.