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Renaming Files and Folders

Change the names of your files and folders to keep them organized and easy to identify.

Renaming a File or Folder

Right-Click Method

  1. Right-click the item.
  2. Select Properties then Name, Extension.

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  3. Type the new name.

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  4. Press Enter to confirm.
Naming Guidelines
  • Use descriptive, meaningful names
  • Keep names reasonably short
  • Avoid special characters such as 

    \ / : * ? " < > |

  • Include dates when useful, such as YYYY-MM-DD
  • Use version numbers when tracking files manually

File Extensions

When renaming files:

  • The file extension, such as .docx or .xlsx, should usually stay unchanged
  • Changing the extension may affect how the file opens
  • The system may show a warning if you try to change the extension

Impact of Renaming

  • File content is not changed
  • Sharing permissions stay in place
  • Internal share links continue working
  • External share links continue working
  • Version history is preserved

Canceling a Rename

  • Press Esc before confirming the new name
  • The original name is kept

Undoing a Rename

  • Press Ctrl+Z immediately after renaming, if available
  • Or rename the item again manually

Best Practices

  • Use a consistent naming style
  • Include project or client names when helpful
  • Add dates for time-sensitive files
  • Avoid generic names such as Document1