Change document name in word

Renaming a Document

1. Make sure the document you want to rename is not loaded into Word.
2. Display the Open dialog box.
3. In the list of files contained in the dialog box, right-click on the one you want to rename.
4. Choose Rename from the Context menu.
5. Once the document name is changed, press Enter.

A so-called lock file, created as you open a Word document, may have been left behind, preventing you from renaming documents. Restarting Windows should delete the lock file.

Can you rename a Word document while it is open?

Just Cmd + click on the file name on top of your opened Office document, that you want to rename. You then see the path where the file is located. Next you click on the name of the folder directly under the file name. The name then appears in a Finder screen, where you can adjust its name to whatever you want.

How do I Rename a document in Office 365?

Open the document library and hover over the file you want to rename. Click the ellipses (…) to the right of the item name, and then click Rename. In the Rename dialog, type the new name into the field, and then click Save.

How do you Rename a document in Word on a Mac?

On your Mac, select the items, then Control-click one of them. In the shortcut menu, choose Rename. In the pop-up menu below Rename Finder Items, choose to replace text in the names, add text to the names, or change the name format.

How do I rename a document in Word without saving it?

Renaming a Document

1. Make sure the document you want to rename is not loaded into Word.
2. Display the Open dialog box.
3. In the list of files contained in the dialog box, right-click on the one you want to rename.
4. Choose Rename from the Context menu.
5. Once the document name is changed, press Enter.

How do I rename a document without closing it?

If you want to rename current document without closing it first, you can rename it by clicking Kutools >> Rename. After clicking the Rename button, it display a dialog box for you to enter the new document name, please type it a new document name and click OK. Now the current document has been renamed.

How do I rename a file in Windows 10?

How to rename files in Windows 10

1. Right click the desired file and then click “Rename” on the menu that opens up.
2. Select the file with a left click and press “Rename” from the bar at the top of the screen.
3. Select the file with a left click and then press “F2” on your keyboard.

How do I rename a document in Word Online?

Hover you mouse over the title and a label ‘Rename File’ will appear. By just clicking on the document name you are able to rename your file.

How do I rename a document in Onedrive?

Rename a file or folder

1. Select the file or folder you want to rename. (In List view, check the circle to the left of the item; in Tiles or Photo view, check the circle in the upper-right corner of the tile.)
2. Select Rename, and then enter a new name.

What is the fastest way to rename a file?

First, open File Explorer and browse to the folder containing the files you wish to rename. Select the first file and then press F2 on your keyboard. This rename shortcut key can be used both to speed up the renaming process or to change the names for a batch of files in one go, depending on the desired results.

What is the fastest way to rename a file on Mac?

By far, the fastest way to rename a file is to select it and press Return. When you press the Return key, the entire name becomes highlighted. You can then just type your new name and press Return again.

How do I change a filename on my computer?

To change the name of a file in Windows, simply go to the folder list and right-click on the file or folder you want to rename. You will then see a menu that includes Rename; this allows you to rename the document.

How do I rename a document in Word for IPAD?

Rename a document
Open the document you want to rename. Tap the document name, then tap Rename. Enter a new name, then tap anywhere outside the text field to save it.

Why can’t I rename a file on Windows 10?

Sometimes you cannot rename a file or folder because it is still being used by another program. You have to close the program and try again.This can also happen if the file has already been deleted or changed in another Window. If this is the case then refresh the Window by pressing F5 to refresh it, and try again.

How do you rename a file using the keyboard?

Using a Keyboard Shortcut
Select a file or folder with the arrow keys, or start typing the name. Once the file is selected, press F2 to highlight the name of the file. After you type in a new name, press the Enter key to save the new name.

What is shortcut key for rename?

F2
Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts

Press this key	To do this
Windows logo key + L	Lock your PC.
Windows logo key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
F2	Rename the selected item.
F3	Search for a file or folder in File Explorer.

Why can’t I Rename my online Word document?

Please go to one affected document library, click LIBRARY > Library Settings > Versioning settings > check if Require documents to be checked out before they can be edited? has been ticked “Yes”. If so, tick “No” instead and see the outcome.

Why can’t I rename a file in OneDrive?

Hi, Failure to rename the folders stored in your OneDrive folder may indicate a possible sync error. As an initial step to refresh OneDrive, you can unlink the account by performing the steps provided on this link to re-sync your folders. Once your done, check if you encounter the same error.

How do I rename a Mac?

Change your computer’s name

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing . Open Sharing preferences for me.
2. If the lock at the bottom left is locked , click it to unlock the preference pane.
3. Type a new name in the Computer Name field.

How do I change a file type on a Mac?

Convert image file types using Preview on Mac

1. In the Preview app on your Mac, open the file, then choose File > Export.
2. Click the Format pop-up menu, then choose a file type.
3. Type a new name, or choose a new location for saving the converted file, then click Save.

There are several ways to rename a document in MS Word.

• Use Word itself to rename a Word document.
• Use File Explorer to rename a Word document.
• Make a copy of the document and rename the copy.

We will show you all the methods in simple stepwise instructions.

Let us start.

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Method #1: Use Word to Rename a Word Document

This is useful when you want to keep to one document and give this document a different name.

Step #1: Open Word

Click on the Start icon in the Toolbar in Windows.

Use your keyboard to type w.

This will open the best match of apps beginning with w.

Click on Word to open the app.

Step #2: Open the Word document

In the left pane, click on the ‘Open’ icon.

In the right pane, navigate to the document you want to rename.

Click on its name to open it.

Step #3: Rename the document

Click on the ‘File’ tab in the top menu bar.

The File dialog box will open.

In the left pane, click on the icon ‘Save As’.

In the right pane, select the location where you want to save the new document.

Click on the folder where you want to save the new document.

The File Explorer dialog will open.

Enter the new name of the document in the field ‘File name:’.

If you want, you can also change the document type in the field ‘Save as type:’.

Click on Save to exit the File Explorer dialog.

You will now have the same document with a new name.

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Method #2: Use File Explorer to Rename a Word Document

This is useful when you quickly want to rename one document, without having to open MS Word.

Step #1: Open File Explorer

Click on the Start icon in the Toolbar in Windows.

Use your keyboard to type f.

This will open the best match of apps beginning with f.

Click on ‘File Explorer’ to open the app.

Step #2: Rename the document

Navigate to the Word document file you want to rename.

Right-click on the Word document file icon to open a menu.

Click on Rename.

File Explorer will now highlight the name under the icon.

Type in the new name for the file, no need to backspace or delete, and hit Enter on your keyboard once you are done.

You now have the same document but with a new name.

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Method #3: Make a Copy of the Document and Rename the Copy

This is useful when it is important to keep the original document, and make a replica with a different name.

Step #1: Open File Explorer

Click on the Start icon in the Toolbar in Windows.

Use your keyboard to type f.

This will open the best match of apps beginning with f.

Click on ‘File Explorer’ to open the app.

Navigate to the Word document file you want to rename.

Step #2: Make a copy of the document

Right-click on the Word document file icon to open a menu.

Click on Copy.

Place the cursor on any empty space within the right pane of the File Manager window.

With your cursor in that place, right click to open a menu.

Click on Paste.

Optional: Navigate to a new file location in ‘File Explorer’ to right click and paste your copied document there.

File Explorer makes a copy of the file, adding the word Copy to the end of the name.

Step #3: Rename the copy

While still viewing the File Explorer, hover your mouse over the copied document file icon.

Right-click on it to open a menu.

Click on Rename.

File Explorer will now highlight the name under the icon.

Type in the new name for the file, no need to backspace or delete, and hit Enter on your keyboard once you are done.

You have renamed the copy of your document.

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Conclusion

We have shown you three easy methods of how you can rename a Word document. Use the method that best suits your needs.

If you’d like to change the name or location of a file without creating a new copy, follow these steps.

If you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber, then the easiest way to rename or move an Office file is to open the file in your Microsoft 365 desktop application—such as Word—then select the file name on the title bar. In the menu that appears you can rename the file, select a new location to move it to, or see the version history for the file.

If the file isn’t a Microsoft Office file, or if you’re not a Microsoft 365 subscriber, then the easiest way to rename or move a file is to use File Explorer in Windows.

Open File Explorer by going to My Computer, or by pressing Windows Key + E on your keyboard. Find the file you want to rename, select it and select Rename on the ribbon (or press F2 on your keyboard). Type the new name you want the file to have and press Enter.

If you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber, then the easiest way to rename or move an Office file is to open the file in your Microsoft 365 desktop application—such as Word—then select the file name on the title bar. In the menu that appears you can rename the file, select a new location to move it to, or see the version history for the file.

If the file isn’t a Microsoft Office file, or if you’re not a Microsoft 365 subscriber, then the easiest way to rename or move a file on your Mac is to use Finder. Find and select the file, then select File > Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.

When you start a new, blank, document in Office for the web, your document gets a name like «Document4» or «Presentation2». To rename or relocate the document while you’re editing it, select the file name near the top of the browser window, and type the name you want.

If nothing happens when you type, check to make sure you’re in Editing view (select the View tab and look for a box that says Viewing or Editing. If it says Viewing, expand the box and select Editing).

Except in PowerPoint for the web, you won’t be able to rename a file if other people are working on it at the same time as you. Wait until you’re the only one in the document, then rename it. 

To rename a file in Office on Android, simply open the file in the appropriate Office app (Word, Excel, etc.), then tap the file name at the top of the app. Type the new name you want and then tap Done on the keyboard.

You won’t be able to rename the file if other people are working on it at the same time as you. Wait until you’re the only one in the document, then rename it.

To rename your file in Office on iOS, open your Office app, find your file on the File menu and tap the More button (looks like 3 dots). Select Rename from the context menu, type your new name, and then tap Rename at the top right corner of the dialog box.

You won’t be able to rename the file if other people are working on it at the same time as you. Wait until you’re the only one in the document, then rename it.

For more information

• Save a file

• Rename a file, folder, or link in a document library

• Where to store files

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If you found this article helpful, and especially if you didn’t, please use the feedback controls below to give us constructive ideas on how we can make it better.

Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Renaming a Document.

There is no intrinsic command within Word that allows you to rename documents or files, as there is in some other programs. It is true that you can simply save a document under a new name, but that results in two files on your drive instead of one. You can use the following steps to rename a document quickly and easily, all within Word:

1. Make sure the document you want to rename is not loaded into Word. (Close it if it is loaded.)
2. Display the Open dialog box. (In Word 2007 click the Office button and choose Open. In Word 2010, display the File tab of the ribbon and click Open. In Word 2013 and Word 2016, display the File tab of the ribbon, click Open, and then click Browse.)
3. In the list of files contained in the dialog box, right-click on the one you want to rename. Word displays a Context menu for the document.
4. Choose Rename from the Context menu. The document name is highlighted, and you have the opportunity to change the name.
5. Once the document name is changed, press Enter.
6. Close the Open dialog box by clicking on Cancel.

Author Bio

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen…

In this post, we will focus on presenting you with 2 smart ways to rename your document in Word quickly.

Now and then, while drafting in Word, we will constantly change the file name. Yet each time, we have to close the document before being able to renaming it. This is totally not convenient. By default, we can’t rename an open file. But with the help of a macro, it can be possible.

Following are 2 macros which can address such an issue.

Method 1: Rename a Document in Word

1. First and foremost, press “Developer” tab then the “Visual Basic” to open Word VBA editor.
2. Next click “Normal” project.
3. Then click “Insert” and choose “Module”.
4. Double click on the new module to open the coding area and paste the bellowing codes there:

Sub RenameDocument()
  Dim strDocName As String, strDocPath As String
  Dim strNewDocName As String
  Dim KillFile As String

  '  Get the current doc name.
  strDocName = ActiveDocument.FullName
  strDocPath = ActiveDocument.Path
  If strDocPath = "" Then
    MsgBox ("This document hasn't been saved. You can't rename it.")
    Exit Sub
  End If
 
  '  Pop up an input box for new name.
  strNewDocName = InputBox("Enter a new name for this document:", "Rename document", strDocName)

  '  Save the doc with newly entered name.
  ActiveDocument.SaveAs2 FileName:=strDocPath & "" & strNewDocName

  '  Delete the doc with original name.
  KillFile = strDocName
  Kill KillFile
End Sub

1. Now click “Run” or hit “F5”.
2. There will be an input box popping up. Just enter a new name in the text box and click “OK”.

Now the document will be stored in the same place with a new name. And running the macro shall delete the original file.

Method 2: Rename a Document and Append Date Information

In many cases, a document will be renamed with the date when revision is made. Under such circumstances, the main part of a file name remains the same only with a date string following. For example, here is a document without a date string.

In order to add it, we can run this macro:

Sub RenameDocumentWithDate()
  Dim strDocName, strDocNameNoExten, strDocFullName, strDocPath As String
  Dim strNewDocName As String
  Dim KillFile As String
  Dim strDate As String

  '  Get the current doc name.
  strDocName = ActiveDocument.Name
  strDocFullName = ActiveDocument.FullName
  strDocNameNoExten = Left(strDocName.Name, Len(strDocName.Name) - 5)
  strDocPath = ActiveDocument.Path
  strDate = Format(Date, "mm - dd - yyyy")
 
  If strDocPath = "" Then
    MsgBox ("This document hasn't been saved. You can't rename it.")
    Exit Sub
  End If
 
  '  Save the doc in new name with date.
  ActiveDocument.SaveAs2 FileName:=strDocPath & "" & strDocNameNoExten & " " & strDate
  KillFile = strDocFullName
  Kill KillFile
End Sub

You can follow the exact steps in method 1 to install and run the above macro. It shall work beautifully. You will see the current date string is following after the original name, such as bellow:

Solution to Word Document Corruption

We can’t prevent document corruption from happening with a once for all method. What we can do is to take backups and avoid user errors as possible as we can. One of the most important points is to get familiar with what to do after a doc gets corrupt. The right answer is to obtain a doc recovery tool as soon as possible.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including Excel damage and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com