How to batch in the file name of the first to add the date? 5 ways to help you!

In daily office work, no one can escape the fate of being surrounded by piled files, and file management, especially for HR, has a direct impact on the work process. When faced with hundreds of unnamed photos, version-iterated documents, or cross-time project files, the traditional manual renaming method is not only time-consuming, but also prone to misuse due to similar names. The solution of adding date prefix to files in batches came into being. By adding the specified date in front of the file name, it builds a clear timeline and improves the file retrieval efficiency several times.

In this article, I will discuss in depth the core scenarios and necessity of the three major file prefixes that need to be modified, and provide you with several feasible and simple operation methods. From the aspects of function, operation steps, advantages and disadvantages, etc., we will introduce and explain one by one. Whether you are a technical white or a senior file management user, you can find the most suitable solution from it, so that file management can move from "chaotic" to "orderly". If you are distressed by sorting out a large number of file names, I hope this article can help you.

Why do I need to add the time and date to the beginning of the file name in batches?

1. Project document management, timeline traceability requirements. For example, there may be multiple versions of the same type of document, in order to just distinguish, by adding a date prefix can visually locate the document generation time, especially in the audit or re-disk, can quickly filter the files in a specific cycle.
2. Archiving of photo and video files. The photos/videos we take are often stored with default names such as "IMG_001" and "MOV_002", which leads to the need to preview them one by one when looking for them. Adding shooting date prefixes in batches can greatly save search time.
3. In team collaboration, the same document may be modified by multiple people. If a date prefix is added, the final version generation time can be specified to avoid version confusion due to similar names.

Preview the effect of adding the date to the top of the file name in batch

before treatment:

after treatment:

method 1: Use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool Add a prefix to the file name

recommended Index:★★★★★

Advantages:

1. all operations are completed locally without uploading to the Internet, avoiding the risk of sensitive information leakage and meeting privacy compliance requirements.
2. Full-featured, multi-format support, can handle Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, text, pictures and other file formats, and even handle folder names.
3. Support to process dozens or even tens of thousands of files at the same time, save manual operation time, very efficient.
4. The operation is simple, the interface is intuitive and convenient to find the function, the operation process is clear, and the novice can get started quickly.
5. Preview the effect in real time, and display the effect immediately after modifying the rules to avoid misoperation.

Disadvantages:

1. only supports windows computer system, tablet pc or mobile phone can not download and install.
2. Need to install before you can use, take up space storage.

Operation steps:

1. After installing the software, open 【 HeSoft Doc Batch Tool ], select [File Name]-[Insert Text in File Name]].

2. Add files whose file names need to be modified. Any format type can be added at the same time. [Add File]-Add files that need to be prefixed with text independently; [Import Files from Folder]-Import all files in the selected folder; You can also drag and drop files with one click.

3. Enter 0 at [Position] to insert to the beginning. If you have other needs, you can check the help instructions below, specifically:

[0] means to add text at the beginning of the file name.

[1] means to add text to the right of the first letter, Chinese character, number or symbol.

[2] express the second, and so on.

[2:5] means to add text to the right of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th characters.

[3,9] means to insert text to the right of the 3rd and 9th characters.

[-1,-2] Insert text to the right of the last 1 character and the penultimate 2 character respectively.

In the text box to be inserted, enter or paste the text to be prefixed, such as [2025]].

4. Wait for a few seconds. After the processing is completed, click the save location to view the added files.

Method 2: Use WebRename Web Online Tools to Batch Modify File Names

recommended Index:★★★☆ ☆

advantages:

1. pure web page operation, no need to download, do not worry about memory, but also support direct drag and drop files to the web area.
2. Multi-rule combination, you can simultaneously apply 7 kinds of rules such as replacement, serial number, regular expression.
3. Is a professional file name modification tool, support multi-language processing.

Disadvantages:

1. the number of files is limited, that is, the free version can handle up to dozens of files at a time, and more files need to be paid.
2. The interface is complex, the rule setting option is more, the novice is easy to confuse.

Operation steps:

1. First, open the web page of the web address and add the file whose name needs to be modified;
2, and then select the "insert" mode, enter the date prefix, such as "2025";
3. Then preview the effect, click "Execute" after confirmation, and finally download the processed file and save it.

Method 3: Use ReNamer Online Edition to handle multiple file names

recommended Index:★★★☆ ☆

advantages:

1. online tools do not need to be installed and do not take up computer memory.
2. Regular expression support, suitable for technical users to deal with complex rules.

Disadvantages:

1. no preview function, after modification can not view the effect in real time.
2. The operation is complicated, regular expression rules need programming foundation, I'm afraid Xiaobai can't operate, and the learning cost is high.
3. There is no free version, you need to buy, do not buy you need to install third-party software, but also need to pay, high cost.

Operation steps:

1. Visit the website, pay attention to find the correct URL, then find and replace, add files, and select "Insert String";
2. Enter the date prefix, select the insertion location, and click "Apply Rules" to download the results.

Method 4: Use the WisFile Smart Rename tool to add a file name prefix

recommended Index:★★★☆ ☆

advantages:

1. intelligent identification of AI content, automatic parsing of file content, extraction of keywords, accurate naming.
2. Batch processing, support hundreds of files at the same time, the efficiency is very high.
3. Privacy security, local processing, file data is not uploaded to the cloud.

Disadvantages:

1. there are requirements for file types. Only pdf, word, picture and other file names are supported. The format compatibility is poor and other file types are not available.
2. The cost of learning is high, and the setting of AI rules requires a certain technical foundation, which is not suitable for small white machines.

Operation steps:

1. After opening the website, add docx, pdf and other format files to be renamed to enable AI recognition.
2. Then click rename to automatically rename and classify and archive.

Method 5: Use the traditional method to modify and add directly on the file name

recommended Index:★★★☆ ☆

advantages:

1. no need to install any software, the computer system comes with functions, compatible with all Windows versions.
2. No need to study, no need to pay, anyone can use it and will use it.
3. Simple operation, suitable for rapid processing of a small number of folders.

Disadvantages:

1. only basic replacement and addition functions are supported, and complex rules cannot be processed.
2. Cannot batch operation at the same time, need to manually complete one by one.
3. Low efficiency, cumbersome operation, easy to cause errors and fatigue.
4. Very unsuitable for jobs with more than 10 files.

Operation steps:

1. Open File Explorer and locate the target file.
2. Select the file to be renamed, right-click the file, and select Rename or modify it directly.

Summary

adding date prefixes in batches is a key strategy to improve the efficiency of file management, which solves the problems of retrieval difficulties and version confusion caused by traditional naming methods through the construction of the timeline. The first kind HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , Not only the function is comprehensive, but also very suitable for small white operation, and the processing speed is fast, but also can ensure the privacy of the file, support the use of a large number of files, is a good choice for individuals or enterprises ~

in the future, file management tools will be more intelligent, such as automatically identifying file content and generating semantic names. However, in the current stage, adding date prefixes in batches is still the most cost-effective solution. Through the rational use of these tools, we can not only save a lot of time, but also provide more reliable data support for team collaboration and project resumption, and truly achieve the goal of "making file management serve the improvement of efficiency". Everyone can take what they need and hope to help you.