How to Rename Layers Fast in Photoshop CC

Use this free and easy-to-use plugin to rename layers fast in Photoshop CC and potentially save yourself hours of time individually clicking through layers and renaming them manually.

Rename Layers Fast in Photoshop

How To Rename Layers Fast In Photoshop CC

Video Tutorial

Feel free to watch along as I demonstrate installing and using this plugin with my video tutorial below, and pause and play at your own pace.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

For this tutorial, I have a mock website PSD file with a number of different layers. When you need to export lots of different files that are the same (such as button01, button02, etc.), this method can be super effective.

For this tutorial, I have a mock website PSD file with a number of different layers. When you need to export lots of different files that are the same e.g. button01, button02 etc, this method can be super effective.

Install Plugin

Step 1 – Locate your Creative Cloud account. I access it via the top menu icon, but if you don’t have this installed, you can log in in via a browser.

Step 1 - Locate your Creative Cloud account. I access it via the top menu icon, but if you don't have this installed you can login in via a browser.

Step 2 – Go to stock and marketplace > plugins.

Step 2 - Go to stock and marketplace > plugins.

Step 3 – Use the search function to look for ‘Layer Renamer for Photoshop’, and click the get button to install it for free. As you can see below, my plugin is already installed.

Step 3 - Use the search function to look for 'Layer Renamer for Photoshop', and click the get button to install it for free. As you can see below my plugin is already installed.

Step 4 – Double-check manage plugins (left menu) to double-check the installation of the plugin.

Step 4 - Double check manage plugins (left menu) to double check the installation of the plugin.

Step 5 – Return to or load up Photoshop CC, and go to plugins > layer renamer for Photoshop > rename to generate assets.

Step 5 - Return to or load up Photoshop CC, and go to plugins > layer renamer for Photoshop > rename to generate assets.

Add File Extensions

Step 6 – Once the menu appears, you have two key ways to rename layers. To add .jpg or .png layer extensions, simply hold shift and click the first and last of the layer selection you would like to apply the extension to (use ctrl/cmd to select/deselect individual layers) and simply click the .jpg or .png button.

Step 6 - Once the menu appears, you have two key ways to rename layers. To add .jpg or .png layer extensions, simply hold shift and click the first and last of the layer selection you would like to apply the extension to (use ctrl/cmd to select/deselect individual layers) and simply click the .jpg or .png button.

Step 7 – The layer name will now have the extension added. Repeat with either extension or use remove file extensions to remove them.

Step 7 - The layer name will now have the extension added. Repeat with either extension or use remove file extensions to remove them.

Add Custom Layer Names

Step 8 – Type any preset layer name you like into the input field and press add.

Step 8 - Type any preset layer name you like into the input field and press add.

Step 9 – As shown below, the ‘button.jpg’ preset has now been created. Select as many layers as you like to apply this to. You can repeat this as many times as you like to create as many presets as you like, and delete them by using the edit presets option.

Step 9 - As shown below, the 'button.jpg' preset has now been created. Select as many layers as you like to apply this to. You can repeat this as many times as you like to create as many presets as you like, and delete them by using the edit presets option.

Step 10 – To use a prefix in addition with a preset, select use prefix, type in your desired prefix, select the layer(s) you’d like to apply it to, and select the preset button to apply the layer name.

Step 10 - To use a prefix in addition with a preset, select use prefix, type in your desired prefix, select the layer(s) you'd like to apply it to, and selet the preset button to apply the layer name.

Step 11 – Once the preset button has been pressed, the layer name will apply. So in this case I changed the layer named generic ‘shape’ to ‘left_button.jpg’ using a combination of a prefix and a preset.

Step 11 - Once the preset button has been pressed, the layer name will apply. So in this case I changed the layer named generic 'shape' to 'left_button.jpg' using a combination of a prefix and a preset.

Step 12 – Repeat this as many times as you like, to as many layers as you like, either together in batches or individually.

Step 12 - Repeat this as many times as you like, to as many layers as you like, either together in batches or individually.

This is such a great plugin to save time. Particularly if you are working with a large number of layers, it is incredible how much time this can save you.

Whether you’re exporting layers to files or just trying to make better sense of your layer stack, I really hope this awesome little plugin and tutorial help you out.

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