Actions by Category
Character Position and Range Actions
Remove or move characters by position in file names, e.g. cut the first 4 characters: the Character Positions & Ranges actions of Better Rename.
The Character Positions & Ranges category removes or moves characters by counting positions, which suits names
with a fixed layout such as IMG_4821.jpg or 2026-10-14_1532.jpg.
Remove a given number of characters from beginning: remove 4 characters,IMG_4821.jpg→4821.jpgRemove a given number of characters from end: remove 5 characters,2026-10-14_1532.jpg→2026-10-14.jpgRemove a range of charactersremoves everything between two positionsMove a range of characters to positioncuts a range out and pastes it at another position: move characters 1 to 4 ofIMG_4821.jpgto the end to get4821IMG_.jpg
Positions count from 1. A name that is shorter than the positions you specify is left unchanged. The
Change: popup decides whether the extension counts.
Example
A camera names its photos P1010001.JPG, P1010002.JPG, … where P101 is the number of the folder on the memory
card. Only the counter is worth keeping.
- Choose
Remove a given number of characters from beginningand enter4inRemove:…characters:P1010001.JPG→0001.JPG - Add
Add text to beginningfrom theTextcategory as a second action withHoliday:Holiday 0001.JPG
Change: stays on only the file name, so the .JPG extension is neither counted nor touched. To get .jpg as well,
add Convert to lowercase with Change: set to only the file extension as a third action.
Using Character Position & Ranges is a 4-minute video on these actions.