Name It Your Way (NIYoW) Editor's Review

Name It Your Way is a batch file renaming utility. It can also generate ID3 tags for MP3 files, based on their filenames. It's suited for people who want to automate renaming tasks. The program recognizes information contained in JPEG images, MIDI files, and Microsoft Office documents. This information can be used by the program in the new filenames generated.

The user interface is easy-to-use. You have the option to use a built-in wizard to complete each step of the renaming operation. However, I don't like to use this wizard, because it doesn't provide all the advanced functionality found in this program. Instead, I use the rule set window to define and add new rules for the renaming process. Possible use scenarios include adding custom text to a filename, removing certain characters, replacing text in a filename, or changing underscores into spaces.

Each change can be previewed, which allows you to see how your filenames will be modified. Undoing previous changes is done by pressing the "Undo" button on the right. It's nice to know that if you are not satisfied with the renaming, you can revert the filenames to the way they were. From a user's point of view, I guess it's also worth mentioning that you can change the default font of the program. Name It Your Way also supports modifying file attributes.

Pluses: The program has an automatic numbering feature, which comes in handy whenever you want to move multiple files with the same name into a single directory. Incremental numbers can also be appended to each filename.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: This program is easier to use than most other freeware file renaming applications. However, it's worth to look at other free programs like spacetornado Renamer or THE Rename.

version reviewed: 1.7.6