Date Formatting

Dates are one of the strongest filename components in RenamerX, but only when they are used consistently.

The main rule is simple:

• Use one date style per template family.
• Prefer formats that sort naturally.

Date formats currently supported in templates

The current template editor supports four output formats for dcDate:

• YYYYMMDD
• YYYYMM
• YYYY-MM-DD
• YYYY-MM

Which format should you choose

YYYY-MM-DD

A clear general-purpose choice.

Use it when you want:

• High readability
• Clear international meaning
• Reliable sorting

Example:

2024-03-12_finance_invoice

YYYYMMDD

A good fit when you want a compact filename and strong sorting.

Example:

20240312_finance_invoice

YYYY-MM

A good fit when month precision matters more than day precision.

Example:

2024-03_monthly-report

YYYYMM

A good fit when you want compact month-level grouping.

Example:

202403_monthly-report

Recommended defaults

Use:

• YYYY-MM-DD for most document libraries
• YYYYMMDD for compact archival systems
• YYYY-MM or YYYYMM for monthly reports, statements, or recurring summaries

Extraction date vs output date

RenamerX separates these ideas:

• The app first determines the semantic date for dcDate.
• The template then formats that value for filename output.

Date extraction and date presentation are separate steps.

What date should dcDate represent

Use the most meaningful content date, such as:

• invoice date
• capture date
• issue date
• meeting date
• signed date

Use file modification time only when it is the best available signal.

In the broader naming specification, file modification time can be used as a fallback when no reliable semantic date is available.

Common mistakes

Mixing separators across templates

Do not use 2024-03-12 in one template family and 20240312 in another unless the libraries truly serve different purposes.

Using month-only format for day-specific documents

If you rename invoices, contracts, or event media, month-level precision may be too weak.

Using ambiguous regional formats

Avoid formats like 03/12/24 or 12-03-24. They create avoidable confusion.

A practical rule

If you are unsure, YYYY-MM-DD is a clear default for most users and most archives.