Linux Rename File Command

[sherlyk]

You need to use the mv command. It is used to rename and move files and directories. The general syntax is as follows:

mv old-file-name  new-file-name
mv [options] old-file-name  new-file-name
mv file1 file2

In this example, the following command would rename a file called resumezzz.pdf to resume.pdf. Open a command-line terminal (select Applications > Accessories > Terminal), and then type:

mv resumezzz.pdf resume.pdf

If resumezzz.pdf is located in /home/vivek/docs/files directory, type:

cd /home/vivek/docs/files
mv resumezzz.pdf resume.pdf

OR

mv /home/vivek/docs/files/resumezzz.pdf /home/vivek/docs/files/resume.pdf

Use the ls command to view files:

ls -l file1
ls -l file1 file2
ls -l /home/vivek/docs/files/*.pdf
ls -l *.pdf

[sherlyk]

Linux rename a file syntax

In short, to rename a file:

mv file1 file2

You can get verbose output i.e. mv command can explain what is being done using the following syntax:

mv -v file1 file2

Sample outputs:

`file1' -> `file2'

To make mv interactive pass the -i option. This option will prompt before overwriting file:

mv -i file1 file2

Sample outputs:

mv: overwrite `file2'? y

[sherlyk]

Detailed information about mv command

You can also view the manual page on mv using the following command:

man mv

OR

info mv