The template fields tell MultiRen how to build each new filename based on the current file's original name. Your templates may consist of any combination of literals and commands. A "literal" is any character that is valid for use within a filename. The template fields are filtered so that you cannot type any characters that would not be allowed in a filename. The only exceptions are for the backslash (\), asterisk (*), and question mark (?) characters, which have special meanings as described below.

When you change either of the template fields, the file list will not be updated until you either press Enter or click the Preview New Names button. Note that it is possible for other users or programs to manipulate the files you selected while you are working with MultiRen's dialog, causing your file list to get out of synch with the contents of your disk. Therefore, every time MultiRen updates your list, it checks to make sure that each file still exists with its original name. If any files are missing, MultiRen deletes them from your list and presents an appropriate message. If all of your original files are missing, MultiRen reports that your list is now empty, then shuts down because there's nothing left for it to do.

Each template field accepts the following command characters or sequences:

? = Wildcard. Transfers one character from the current position in the original name. If all original characters have been used, each ? wildcard is replaced with a space.

* = Wildcard. Transfers all remaining characters from the original name. If all original characters have been used, this wildcard has no effect. This wildcard may appear exactly once in either template. If the field already contains an asterisk, you cannot type a second one until you delete the first.

\- = Discard a character from the original name.

\N = Represents the current sequence number. The sequence number assigned to any given file depends on its position in the list -- files are numbered in order starting at the top of the list. You may use \N more than once if you wish, but it will always represent the same sequence number for any given file.

\I = Toggles insert mode. Initially, insert mode is off. This means that each literal character you type (as well as digits required for serial numbers) will replace corresponding characters in the original name. When insert is on, literal characters are inserted into the new name without consuming characters from the original name. This option does not affect the behavior of the "?" and "*" wildcards.

\L = Toggles forced lowercase on or off. Initially, case-forcing (both upper and lower) is off.

When active, this command converts any characters transferred via the ? and * wildcards to lowercase.

\U = Toggles forced uppercase on or off. Works the same as \L except for uppercase instead of lowercase.

Note that turning \L on automatically turns \U off and vice-versa. Also note that the \L, \I, and \U toggles do not carry over from the Base Name template to the Extension template. Each template is processed independently of the other.