CNET Editors' review
Naru's Flexible Renamer is a free tool for renaming files and folders, either singly or in large batches, including subfolders. It can rename items using a wide range of methods: copying, substituting, translating, moving, reordering, and attaching letters, numbers, and characters in specified or randomly generated patterns. It also supports Unicode strings for a wide range of languages. It has sophisticated, flexible filtering options to exclude or include items for processing, and it can modify file or folder information such as time and date stamp.
Flexible Renamer is a portable application that doesn't have to be installed: just click it and it runs. It uses an interesting and efficient variation on the typical Windows interface, with the usual left-hand Explorer panel and right-hand main view separated by a panel of controls, including a menu of commands, some filter options, and the Rename buttons. The main view has a customizable gridded display that shows the current name, new name, location, and other information about selected items. Since by far most people want a file renamer to manage the gigabytes of digital snapshots they upload, we started with some of our own. We browsed to a target folder and its contents appeared in the main view. In the central panel, we clicked Remove Number or String, and the selection expanded with many specific options. We made our selections, clicked Rename, and the renamed files appeared in the main view. We clicked Advanced Rename, and controls and selections appeared for Wild Card, Regular Expression, and Translation methods with search fields and numerous Presets and Support settings, the latter enabling a huge range of matches; there's even an email link to request new matches. The Advanced Renaming option proved easy to use for special instances, like renaming a batch of files to fit in a previously defined sequence. We also like the Tag Rename option, which lets you label files with information such as their type (MP3, EXIF, etc.) as well as the Attributes tab, which we used to change the date stamp to the date when the images were consolidated.
This is a handy file maintenance tool, and we recommend it.
Publisher's Description
From Naru:
Flexible Renamer is a file/folder renaming utility, which can use Wildcard or Regular-Expression and Tag-information (MP3, EXIF) and script (vbs/js). It uses an Explorer like user interface. UNICODE strings (Japanese/Chinese/Korean/Dutch/French) are supported.
What's new in this version: Version 8.4 features: application error occurs when the character is deleted on the boundary of %; application error occurs when quitting the application on a certain environment.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 23 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 8 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-8 of 8
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"Garbage - wildcard parser doesn't work"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
None whatsoever.
Cons
1. Wildcard parser doesn't work, period. Junk.
2. Can't select parts of pathnames and filenames in explorer for copy\paste in search/replace fields. Primitive. -
"Renamer for both single and batch files"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
Fast, lightweight, several options for the output result (separator, numbers, sufixes, extensions)
Cons
Not so intuitive interface
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"Unbelievably great!!"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
There are several thoughtful, logical features that makes this program great that similar renaming utilities don't do/have. First, it will show you a preview of the resulting file name INSTANTLY - no clicking on another window or "test" run. Second, it allows the use wildcards on files AND folders, so if you have files you want to rename buried in a folder structure, it will find them. You can re-size the window to look at deep and long folder structures. The program allows using any combination of file and folder attributes in the resulting file name you find meaningful, including the parent folder(s) name(s). Finally, this program will rename thousands of files at once IN THE SOURCE FOLDER - no copying all the files to/from somewhere.
Cons
The options for including the attributes are a little cryptic for a casual user. HOWEVER, clicking the "Support" button lists all of the possible options that you can play with. Having the instant preview allows you to experiment with the renaming options, so it works out very well.
I'd love to be able to filter out/in certain folder names, and I'm sure there's a way to do this - I just haven't figured this out yet.Summary
It's a free, VERY powerful and easy to use file renamer!!
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"Do not download"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
Has a virus.
Cons
Has a virus
Summary
Has a virus
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"Easy quick and accurate"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
Powerful and versatile file renamer, will rename 1,000's of files in a few seconds. Good search facilities for the current directory with or without the sub directories.
Cons
Cannot view the file contents, for instance of a jpg, to easily identify correct file.
Summary
I could not manage my computer without this utility which I have used for many years. File renaming is tedious at the best of times, Flexible Renamer takes away that tedium.
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"Rename files using any scheme you want"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
Flexrena will rename any number files in any scheme you dream up.
It also has the ability to copy OR move them after rename is done. There are so many tricks on this one you have to start using it to find them,Cons
It;'s not that intuitive although you can use it right out of the box. It will take a long time for you to find all the features.
Summary
Rename using dates, numbers, phrases etc. Get it.
I was "in" on FlexRena since it was version 1.0. It is the Swiss army knife of renaming files. The only problem I can say about it us that is doesn't come with a good Manual with examples. It is not simple but the "undo" feature is great when you slip up And rename 100 files wrong. Get it while it's still Freeware.
Updated on Dec 12, 2011 -
"Great file renaming program for large numbers of files"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
1) Easy to use
2) Allows for complex renaming scenarios
3) Save hours of tedious workCons
This program has no issues
Summary
If you have a lot of files to rename, and have complex renaming rule, this is the program for you
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"Very unintuitive UI"
Version: Flexible Renamer 8.4
Pros
Can't think of any as I just tried it for a few mins and gave up
Cons
Convoluted user interface
Summary
I would recommend Renamer http://download.cnet.com/ReNamer/3000-2248_4-10590705.html instead. You can define rules easily using that. I ended up using Renamer instead.
Results 1-8 of 8





