Many office scenarios require adding text uniformly in front of multiple file names, such as adding image- to pictures, adding customer names to contracts, and adding project numbers to Word, PDF, and Excel files. Manually renaming them one by one is time-consuming and error-prone. This article, combined with the operation interface of HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , explains how to import files, select "Add prefix and suffix to file names", fill in the prefix content, and complete batch renaming.
When organizing materials in the office, "uniformly adding text before multiple file names" is a very common requirement. For example, if a folder contains dozens of images that need to be uniformly prefixed with image-; a batch of customer materials needing a client abbreviation; a set of Word documents, docx, doc files needing a project number; multiple PDF scans needing a date. While the system's built-in rename function can handle individual files, manual operation becomes repetitive labor when facing a large number of files.
This article uses HeSoft Doc Batch Tool as an example to introduce how to use the batch processing capabilities of office software to add the same prefix to a group of file names at once. This process does not require opening files one by one, nor does it require copying and pasting multiple times. You just need to import files into the tool, set the prefix text, and then complete the process step by step. In the example, black.jpg, green.jpg, sun.jpg, tree.jpg, and white.jpg will be uniformly changed to image-black.jpg, image-green.jpg, image-sun.jpg, image-tree.jpg, and image-white.jpg.
Applicable Scenarios: Why Add Text Uniformly Before File Names
The value of file name prefixes lies in classification and identification. When prefixes are unified, the same batch of files becomes easier to search, sort, and filter in the folder. For example, image materials can be uniformly prefixed with image-, contracts with contract- or a client name, course materials with a course code, and financial reimbursement attachments with the month or department name.
In team collaboration, unified naming is especially important. File naming habits submitted by different members may be inconsistent; some use Chinese, some use English, and some only write serial numbers. If naming needs to be standardized before delivery, manual modification can take up a lot of time. Using batch file processing office software can standardize naming rules and reduce human error.
For long-tail needs, users might search for "batch add prefix to jpg files," "batch add project name to pdf file names," "batch add text to docx file names," "add the same content to the beginning of multiple file names," etc. Regardless of whether the file type is image, Word, Excel, PDF, or text file, as long as the goal is to add fixed content to the beginning of file names, you can refer to the process in this article.
Effect Preview: File Names Before Processing Are Relatively Dispersed
Before processing, there are 5 jpg files in the folder, named black.jpg, green.jpg, sun.jpg, tree.jpg, and white.jpg. They can express color or object on their own but lack a unified batch identifier. If these files are moved to a larger material library, users might need to open the folder path or check the context to determine which group they belong to.
This naming method is not a big problem on a small scale, but once the number of files increases, it affects management efficiency. For instance, another folder might also contain a black.jpg, leading to name conflicts during copying or merging. If uploaded to a system, it's also not easy to reflect the source. Adding a prefix to file names can add identification information without changing the original meaning.
Effect Preview: Each File Name Has image- Added After Processing
After processing, the file names have image- uniformly added at the beginning. You can see black.jpg becomes image-black.jpg, green.jpg becomes image-green.jpg, sun.jpg becomes image-sun.jpg, tree.jpg becomes image-tree.jpg, and white.jpg becomes image-white.jpg. All files follow the same naming rule, appearing visually neater.
The advantage of this batch renaming method is that it preserves the core content of the original file name while adding a uniform prefix. Compared to completely renaming all files to image-001, image-002, adding a prefix is more suitable for files that already have meaningful names. It enhances classification without losing the original information like black, green, sun.
Operation Steps: Batch Add Same Text Before File Names
Step 1: Select the Corresponding Function in the File Name Tool
After launching HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , first observe the left functional categories. In the screenshot, you can see the "File Name" category is selected, and the right side displays multiple batch processing functions related to file names, including finding and replacing keywords in file names, inserting text into file names, adding prefixes and suffixes to file names, deleting text from file names, etc.
This requirement is to add the same text to the beginning of file names, so "Add Prefix and Suffix to File Names" should be selected. This function card is marked in the screenshot, with the description "Batch add prefix or suffix to file names." This step is critical because if "Insert Text into File Names" or "Find and Replace" is selected, the operational logic will be different.
After completing this step, you are expected to enter the dedicated batch add prefix and suffix page. HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , as an office software, splits common file name-related operations into different tools. Users can choose based on their needs, avoiding searching for rules within complex settings.
Step 2: Import Files Needing Unified Naming
After entering the "Add Prefix and Suffix to File Names" page, the interface shows Step 1 as "Select records to process." There are "Add Files" and "Import Files from Folder" buttons at the top right. According to the screenshot, 5 files have already been imported, and the table displays each file's name, path, extension, creation time, and modification time.
The purpose of this step is to determine the scope of files for this batch process. If you only want to process individual files, you can import them via "Add Files"; if all files in a folder need processing, you can use "Import Files from Folder." After importing, it is recommended to check the names and paths line by line to avoid including files that do not need to be renamed.
The screenshot table lists black.jpg, green.jpg, sun.jpg, tree.jpg, and white.jpg, and shows a record count of 5 at the bottom. Such a list preview helps users confirm the processing targets before actually executing. After confirmation, click "Next" at the bottom to enter the settings for processing options.
Step 3: Enable Add Prefix and Fill in the Prefix Content
In Step 2 "Set Processing Options," you can see two toggles: "Add Prefix" and "Add Suffix." Since this article aims to add text uniformly before multiple file names, "Add Prefix" needs to be enabled. In the screenshot, "Add Prefix" is turned on, and "image-" is entered in the input box.
The content filled here will be added to the beginning of each file name. That means the software will process all files in the list according to the same rule: adding image- before black.jpg results in image-black.jpg; adding image- before green.jpg results in image-green.jpg. Since the example only requires a prefix and does not need content added to the end of the file name, "Add Suffix" remains off.
Pay attention to the format when filling in the prefix. It is recommended to add a separator at the end of the prefix, such as image-, ProjectA-, 2026_, ClientName_. This makes the processed file names more readable and prevents the prefix and original name from sticking together. If the prefix is in Chinese, it is also recommended to use the same symbols uniformly, such as "Materials-", "Contract-", "Invoice-".
Step 4: Enter Save Location and Start Processing Workflow
After setting the prefix, click "Next" at the bottom of the page. As seen from the interface flow, the subsequent steps are "Set Save Location" and "Start Processing." During actual operation, follow the software prompts to complete the save location setting and enter the start processing phase.
The purpose of this step is for the software to generate the final result based on the previously imported file list and prefix rules. After processing, users can return to the folder to view the processed file names. The expected result is that image- appears before each file name, and the file extension remains jpg. For docx, doc, pdf, xlsx, and other files, the same attention should be paid to whether the extension remains normal.
Common Questions and Notes
What if the Prefix is Entered Incorrectly?
Before starting the process, if you find a typo in image-, simply go back or stay on the settings page to modify it. It is best to carefully check the prefix text before batch processing, especially for content prone to typos like project numbers, dates, and client names.
Can a Suffix Be Added Simultaneously?
The interface shows an "Add Suffix" option, but this article's example only demonstrates adding a prefix. If your naming rule indeed requires adding content both before and after, you can enable the corresponding options based on your actual needs. To avoid misoperation, it is recommended to keep it off when a suffix is not needed.
Will it Affect File Content?
Judging by the function name and example effects, this operation targets the file name, not the file content. For example, the content of a jpg image will not change because image- is added to its file name. The same applies to Word, PDF, and Excel files; the change is mainly reflected at the file name level.
Why Check Paths After Importing Files?
A characteristic of batch processing is that it affects multiple files at once, so checking paths before processing is very important. The screenshot table shows a path column, which helps confirm whether files come from the target folder. If files from other directories are accidentally imported, it could lead to unintended renaming.
Summary: Unified Prefix Addition Makes File Management More Standardized
Uniformly adding text before multiple file names seems like a small requirement but is very frequent in actual office work. Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can turn manual repetitive renaming into a process-oriented operation: enter the file name category, select "Add Prefix and Suffix to File Names," import files, enable add prefix, enter image- or other required text, and then follow the wizard to complete the subsequent processing.
This approach not only improves efficiency but also reduces issues of missed changes and inconsistent naming. For users who frequently process image materials, Word documents, PDF scans, and Excel reports, it is recommended to incorporate batch prefix addition as part of the file organization workflow. Next time you need to uniformly name dozens of files, instead of modifying them one by one, using the batch processing function directly will be more reliable.