How to Rename Google Drive Folder

Written by Ivana Google Workplace / Drive

- 5 min read

Google Drive is the most widely used and popular cloud storage service. It makes it really easy to create and store different types of files like text documents, presentations, spreadsheets, forms, photos, videos and access them from different devices you are logged in to with your Google Account.

When you create new Drive files in Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides, they are given the ‘Untitled document/spreadsheet/presentation/form’ titles by default. This is why it’s really important to name your files in Google Drive so they are easier to identify and you can find them when needed.

Also, when you name files or folders in Google Drive you can easily rename them whenever you like, regardless of which operating system you use - Windows, MacOS or Android.

In the guide below, you’ll learn how to rename Google Drive files and folders on a desktop web browser and on Android.

How to rename a folder in Google Drive

The methods and steps presented below are tested in the Google Chrome browser, but they are the same whether you are using Firefox and Edge.

Method 1: Rename a folder in Google Drive with right-click

Many options for editing and interacting in Google Drive are available in the right-click pop-up menu. This is also the case with the rename option.

  1. Find the folder or file you want to rename.
  2. Right-click on the file or folder and select the ‘Rename’ option from the pop-up menu.

Right-click > Rename

  1. A rename dialog box will appear. Erase the old name and type in the new name in the field and click on ‘OK’.

Type in a new name and click 'OK'

  1. Your file or folder will now be renamed.

Also read: How to Restore Backup From Google Drive.

Method 2: Rename a folder in Google Drive in the window menu.

You can also rename a folder or file in the Google Drive window - this is how to rename Drive folders and files.

  1. Find the folder or file you want to rename and right-click on it once.
  2. Then, click on the ‘More actions’ button at the top-right corner of the Drive window.
  3. Choose the ‘Rename’ option from the pop-up menu.

More actions > Rename

  1. A rename dialog will appear. Type in the new name of the document and click on ‘OK’.

How to rename files in Google Drive

The two methods above work both for renaming folders and files. But there is one more simpler way that works only for renaming files in Google Drive, including Sheets, Slides, Docs, Forms, Drawings, Jamboard and My Maps.

  1. Find and open the file you want to rename.
  2. Click on the title of the file in the top-left corner of the window.
  3. This will activate a text box in which you can change the file name. Just erase the old name and type in the new.
  4. When done, just click on any other area outside of the text box and the new name will be automatically saved.

How to rename multiple folders in Google Drive

Although it is super easy to rename a folder in Google Drive, you have to rename each folder separately. And if you had multiple folders to rename, you’d need to repeat the steps for each of them.

However, there are third-party tools and extensions that help you rename multiple Google Drive folders at once. ‘Multiple file rename for Google Drive’ is a free extension with which, as the name suggests, you can rename multiple folders and files in Google Drive.

The extension is available in the G-Suite marketplace and as a Chrome extension. It helps you rename selected Drive files according to your chosen settings fast and with minimal effort. You can either download it from the G-suite marketplace or add it as a Chrome extension.

After you download it, simply select a folder to rename, choose the renaming options and all your selected folders will be renamed.

How to rename folders in Google Drive on Android

If you are using Google Drive on your Android device, follow the steps below to rename folders and files.

  1. Open the Google Drive app on your Android phone.
  2. Find the folder or file you want to rename.
  3. Tap on the three vertical dots on the right of the Google Drive folder’s name.
  4. Select ‘Rename’ in the pop-up box.
  5. The document or folder name will be highlighted in blue color in the rename dialog box.
  6. Just type in the new folder name and the old name will be replaced.
  7. Tap on ‘OK’.

Now that you know how to rename Google Drive folders on desktop and Android, you might want to check out how to upload videos to YouTube directly from Google Drive.