Tip: Fastest Way to Rename an Excel 365 File


About this lesson

In this training video, Les from Power Up Training introduces a super quick way to rename files in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel using Office 365. Instead of multiple clicks and dealing with duplicate or lost files, Office 365 users can simply click on the file name at the top of the screen, make their changes, and hit enter. This works seamlessly on both Windows and macOS, provided the files are saved on Microsoft OneDrive.

Les highlights the advantages of this method, such as maintaining sync in your Recently Used files list, which is a common issue when renaming files outside Microsoft Office. He also shares a bonus tip: easily moving files within the OneDrive cloud system. By clicking the file name and selecting the location, users can quickly move files to different folders, though creating new folders still requires traditional file management tools.

The video concludes with a preview of a related feature: Version History. Office 365 and OneDrive users can access previous versions of their files, making it easy to recover from mistakes like accidental deletions. Les encourages viewers to explore more Office tips by subscribing to the channel and leaving comments for further guidance.

Topics

00:49 Rename a file FAST

03:20 BONUS – Moving Files Inside of Office 365

Details

Subject Microsoft Excel

Software Compatibility Office 365

Level

Course Completed

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Transcript

Rename File Transcripts

In the old days, to rename a file in PowerPoint, Word or Excel, you had multiple choices that were all TOO MANY CLICKS and often resulted in duplicate files with multiple names or “lost” files . . . lost as in they did not show up in your MOST RECENT FILE list.

If you are an Office 365 user, this is now a SUPER, SUPER fast one click change in both Windows and macOS!

Hi, this is Les from Power Up Training and I am about to revolutionize the most basic of your tasks. And throw in a related bonus tip at the end.

Wrong file name? Misspelled file name? Don’t like the capitalization?

Then click HERE at the top screen on TOP of the file name . . . change it, edit it, replace it.  What ever. Type, hit your keyboard enter key and you are DONE!

This works for both Windows and macOS; but the dialog boxes will look different.

Yes Mac users, your dialog box looks cooler.

But both systems MUST be Office 365 versions, not older Office products.

And if you are trying this tip right now but see the choice GRAYED OUT.  That means you saved the file on your local hard drive and NOT on Microsoft cloud OneDrive. The files must be on a cloud file system to work.

If you embrace the Microsoft tools, you get to reap the benefits.

A subtle, important implications is that your existing RECENTLY USED lists all stay in sync.  Which does not happen if you renamed the file outside of Microsoft Office in your file manager.

Here is a BONUS Tip #1: Simple two-click moving files.  Same steps of clicking on the file name.

Next select PLACE for the macOS or LOCATION for Windows.  There you can navigate down to a subfolder or up.

BUT you cannot easily create a NEW FOLDER.

Hey this shortcut simple version.  To heavy duty file management; to your tools of File Manager or Finder.

On the other hand, the simple click of the file name will let you move the file AND rename the file in just a couple mouse and keystrokes.

That is SUPER, SUPER easy and fast.

Preview tip: Time Travel

Since this only works in Office 365, and you should be using Microsoft OneDrive, then the OneDrive cloud system will automatically keep historic versions of a file.  And you can time travel to any older version.

Imagine you were working on you giant presentation late last night and the last thing you did was delete an important page.

You saved it and went to sleep exhausted.

The next morning you are back at it and after your cup of coffee you discovered you big mistake.

No problem! Click the file name and then click Version History for Windows or (Mac) browse version history.

Click and you just completed your time travel trip. But do immediately save it with a descriptive name.

Need to know more? Be it about versioning or other Office tricks, leave a comment below.

If this was helpful give it a thumbs up and subscribe.

Until next time: go Power Up.