Format Patterns & EXIF
Create custom filename patterns using AI-generated names, file dates, EXIF metadata fields, and text transformations in RenameClick.
RenameClick offers powerful filename formatting through built-in presets and custom patterns. You can combine AI-generated names with file dates, EXIF metadata, and text transformations.
Built-in Format Presets
| Preset | Example Output | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spaces | Modern Office Desk.jpg | AI name as-is with spaces |
| Slug Case | modern-office-desk.jpg | Lowercase with hyphens |
| Camel Case | modernOfficeDesk.jpg | camelCase format |
| [exif] When_Where | 2024-12-07_Berlin_Modern Office Desk.jpg | EXIF date + location + AI name |
Custom Format Presets
You can create your own named format presets with custom patterns. Each preset stores a name, format pattern (using placeholders below), and optional description.
When you create a new format preset:
- The pattern editor validates syntax before saving
- A live preview shows what the output will look like
- The new preset is auto-selected immediately
Placeholders Reference
AI Name Placeholders
| Placeholder | What It Returns | Example |
|---|---|---|
$1 | Full AI-generated name | "Modern Office Desk" |
$2 | First word of AI name | "Modern" |
$3 | Second word | "Office" |
$4 | Third word | "Desk" |
$5+ | Additional words in order | (continues for each word) |
$oldName | Original filename (without extension) | "IMG_4521" |
Auto Increment Placeholders
Use auto increment when you want AI-generated names to stay sortable in Finder or File Explorer.
$successIndex is usually the best choice. It increments only for files that completed successfully, so files with errors, pending or cancelled rows, and rows removed from the list are skipped by the $successIndex counter. The applied filenames keep a gap-free sequence.
| Placeholder | What It Returns | Example |
|---|---|---|
$successIndex | Auto-increment number for successful files, starting at 1 | "1", "2", "3" |
$successIndex{01} | Auto-increment number with two digits | "01", "02", "03" |
$successIndex{001} | Auto-increment number with three digits | "001", "002", "003" |
$successIndex{3} | Auto-increment number starting at 3 | "3", "4", "5" |
$index{01} | Original batch/workspace order with two digits | "01", "02", "03" |
The number inside {} controls both the starting value and the padding width. For example, $successIndex{00001} starts at 00001, while $successIndex{3} starts at 3 without extra padding.
Use $index only when you need the original batch order. It can have gaps if files are removed, filtered, or fail before apply.
Text Transformations
| Transformation | Input → Output | Description |
|---|---|---|
$upper{$1} | "Modern Office Desk" → "MODERN OFFICE DESK" | All uppercase |
$lower{$1} | "Modern Office Desk" → "modern office desk" | All lowercase |
$capitalize{$1} | "modern office desk" → "Modern office desk" | Capitalize first letter only |
Transformations can be nested with any placeholder: $upper{$2} → "MODERN", $lower{$1} → "modern office desk".
File Date Placeholders
| Placeholder | Description | Example Output |
|---|---|---|
$date{YYYY-MM-DD} | File creation date | "2024-12-07" |
$date{DD_MM_YYYY} | Alternative date format | "07_12_2024" |
$date{YYYYMMDD} | Compact date | "20241207" |
$date{YYYYMMDD,modified} | File modification date | "20241207" |
By default, $date{} uses the file creation date. Add ,modified to use the modification date instead.
EXIF Placeholders (Images Only)
EXIF metadata is embedded in photos by cameras and smartphones. These placeholders only work with image files that contain EXIF data.
Date/Time from EXIF
| Placeholder | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
$exif{date} | Capture date (YYYY-MM-DD) | "2024-12-07" |
$exif{date,YYYYMMDD} | Custom date format | "20241207" |
$exif{date,DD-MM-YYYY} | European date format | "07-12-2024" |
$exif{time} | Capture time (HH-mm-ss) | "14-30-45" |
$exif{time,HHmm} | Short time format | "1430" |
$exif{datetime} | Full date + time | "2024-12-07_14-30-45" |
Camera Information
| Placeholder | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
$exif{camera} | Make + Model combined | "Canon_EOS_R5" |
$exif{make} | Camera manufacturer | "Canon" |
$exif{model} | Camera model name | "EOS R5" |
$exif{iso} | ISO sensitivity | "400" |
$exif{aperture} | Aperture value | "f2.8" |
$exif{shutter} | Shutter speed | "1_250" |
GPS Location
| Placeholder | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
$exif{country} | Country name (from GPS) | "Germany" |
$exif{city} | City name (from GPS) | "Berlin" |
$exif{region} | State or region | "Bavaria" |
$exif{location} | City + Country combined | "Berlin_Germany" |
$exif{gps} | Raw GPS coordinates | "52.5200_13.4050" |
Generic EXIF Access
You can access any EXIF field by its name:
| Placeholder | Example Output |
|---|---|
$exif{Software} | "Adobe Photoshop" |
$exif{LensModel} | "EF 50mm f/1.4" |
$exif{Artist} | "John Doe" |
$exif{Copyright} | "© 2024 Photographer" |
Complete Pattern Examples
| Pattern | Example Output | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
$1 | "Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Default AI name |
$exif{date,YYYYMMDD}_$1 | "20241207_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Photo with date prefix |
$exif{camera}_$1 | "Canon_EOS_R5_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Photo with camera info |
$exif{city}_$exif{country}_$1 | "Berlin_Germany_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Photo with location |
$date{YYYY-MM-DD}_$1 | "2024-12-07_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | File date prefix |
$upper{$2}_$lower{$3} | "MODERN_office.jpg" | Mixed case words |
$oldName_$1 | "IMG_4521_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Keep original + add AI name |
$successIndex{01}_$1 | "01_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Two-digit auto-increment sequence for successful results |
$successIndex{001}_$1 | "001_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Three-digit auto-increment sequence |
$successIndex{3}_$1 | "3_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Auto-increment sequence starting from 3 |
$index{01}_$1 | "01_Modern Office Desk.jpg" | Original batch order + AI name |
Date/Time Tokens
These tokens work inside both $date{} and $exif{date,...} / $exif{time,...}:
| Token | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
YYYY | 4-digit year | 2024 |
YY | 2-digit year | 24 |
MM | Month (zero-padded) | 07 |
DD | Day (zero-padded) | 03 |
HH | Hour, 24h (zero-padded) | 09 |
mm | Minute (zero-padded) | 05 |
ss | Second (zero-padded) | 07 |
Allowed separators in patterns: - and _ (dots are not allowed)
Tips
- EXIF fields are image-only: Using
$exif{}on a PDF or text file will produce empty values - Missing EXIF data: If an image lacks certain EXIF fields (e.g., no GPS), those placeholders are silently omitted
- $date vs $exif date:
$date{}uses filesystem dates (works on all files);$exif{date}uses the camera's capture date - Auto increment:
$successIndexcounts only successful results; failed, pending, cancelled, and removed rows are skipped by this counter - Batch index:
$indexfollows the original workspace order and can have gaps after filtering or deletion - Test with preview: The format editor shows a live preview so you can verify your pattern before saving