nameglow

EXCEL, NUMBERS & GOOGLE SHEETS → YOUR MAC

Rename files from a CSV.
Check every match.

With Nameglow, paste two columns of old and new filenames or import a CSV/TSV. Match files by their original names, review the changes, and confirm the rename. Try the complete workflow free with up to 10 files per batch.

By Gjorge Karakabakov · September 27, 2026 · Nameglow 1.1

TRY A CLIENT HANDOFFSample filenames · stays in your browser

Two columns. Full names, including extensions. Try changing a name below.

Checks reserved names, characters and endings. Full paths and cloud-service rules are outside this check.

2. Review the matches

The files below stay in their original order. The spreadsheet rows can be in any order.

Original fileNew nameCheck
Brand deck v7.pdfnorth-deck.pdfMatched
IMG_8492.jpgnorth-photo.jpgMatched
Logo Final FINAL.pngnorth-logo.pngMatched

3 of 3 filenames matched. Spreadsheet row order does not matter.

The Mac app can export a preview or a completed rename receipt. This demo changes no files and cannot check your disk.

The format: old filename, new filename

Use exactly two columns. The first contains the complete original filename; the second contains the complete new filename. Include the original extension with the same spelling and case. For example, .JPG stays .JPG.

old_name,new_name
Logo Final FINAL.png,north-logo.png
Brand deck v7.pdf,north-deck.pdf
IMG_8492.jpg,north-photo.jpg

The old_name,new_name header is optional. Copy the two columns directly from Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets, or save a UTF-8 CSV or tab-separated TSV. Nameglow understands quoted CSV cells and doubled quotes. A filename containing a comma must be quoted in CSV, for example "Smith, Jane.pdf". Names are literal data; Nameglow does not evaluate spreadsheet formulas.

Download this sample CSV. The three original names above must correspond to files you add to the app; the CSV does not create files.

Rename the files on your Mac

  1. Download Nameglow, open the disk image, and drag the app to Applications.
  2. Add the files or their containing folder. Folder import includes visible regular files directly inside it. Allow access to the exact folder if prompted.
  3. Choose Spreadsheet. Paste your two columns or import the UTF-8 CSV/TSV.
  4. Review the before-and-after names. Each selected file needs exactly one matching row, and each row needs a selected file. The row order does not affect the match.
  5. Turn on Check Windows filenames if the handoff needs to avoid common Windows filename restrictions. Resolve the errors shown.
  6. Click Rename, review the confirmation, and apply the batch. Export the completed receipt if you need a record.
Your files stay in place.

Nameglow changes filenames, preserving contents and extensions. Renaming can affect references in other documents or applications. Check the preview before confirming; the app does not rewrite those references.

Fix a mismatch before renaming

A file is missing from the spreadsheet
Add its old/new pair, or remove the file from the batch. Nameglow does not fill the gap using the next spreadsheet row.
A spreadsheet row has no matching file
Check the old filename, extension and letter case, or add the intended file. Remove rows outside this batch.
The old filename appears more than once
Keep one mapping per file. If different folders contain the same original filename, use separate batches. This version does not accept full-path mappings.
Two files would have the same new name
Give them distinct names. Nameglow also checks for names already occupied in their folders and treats case and Unicode equivalents conservatively.
The extension changes
Keep the original extension exactly. Naming photo.jpg as photo.png does not convert its contents, so Nameglow blocks that change.
Windows filename check fails
Change reserved names such as NUL.pdf, reserved characters such as ?, or a trailing space or period. The optional check covers filenames only, not total path length, a recipient’s software or cloud-service rules.

Keep a record for the handoff

Export an HTML preview before renaming, or a receipt for the most recent completed batch. Reports show original and new names in a readable document that opens in a browser. Draft previews say that no files have changed.

The last completed receipt is available after reopening Nameglow, until you undo that batch or replace it with another. Save the report if you need a lasting copy. Reports contain filenames but omit absolute folder paths; review names before sharing. A receipt records the rename, not the files’ current state.

Undo Last Batch restores the latest batch’s original names after checking file identity and conflicts. It also works after relaunch. Read the undo and recovery guide.

Common questions

Does Nameglow open .xlsx or .numbers files?
No. Copy and paste two columns, or export a UTF-8 CSV/TSV from your spreadsheet app. A sheet is limited to 4 MiB and 5,000 filename pairs; the free batch limit remains 10 files.
Can I give it just a column of new names?
No. Include both old and new names so the app can match them without relying on row order.
Is the spreadsheet uploaded?
No. Matching happens locally. The website demo also runs locally in your browser and does not read your disk.
Is this available in the free version?
Yes. Spreadsheet matching, Windows checks and HTML reports work with the free 10-file batch limit. Pro costs $19 USD once and increases the limit to 5,000.
Do other Mac apps support CSV renaming?
Yes. Several established alternatives do, with different formats and controls. Compare Nameglow and other Mac renamers.

Try it on a small batch.

Use the sample format with your own files. The free version has no time limit or account requirement.

Download Nameglow free ↓