Simple Way to Rename SOLIDWORKS Files

Have you ever needed to rename your SOLIDWORKS files, but didn’t want to deal with the headache of losing the references in associated parts/assemblies/drawings? Believe it or not, there is a simple way to rename files while maintaining references within SOLIDWORKS. Let me walk you through how.

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Using the FeatureManager Tree to Rename Files

Starting in SOLIDWORKS 2016, a very useful setting was added to the program that allows files to be renamed from the FeatureManager tree.

The first step is to enable the option in your System Options.

• To do that go to Tools > Options > System Options > FeatureManager
• Then enable the option Allow component files to be renamed from the FeatureManger tree

Files That Can Be Renamed

You will be able to rename from the FeatureManager tree in Part and Assembly files, however, this is not possible in Drawings. When in an Assembly, you can rename the Top-Level Assembly and any Sub-Assemblies and Parts in the tree. Parts can be edited from the parent level of the Assembly or from a Sub-Assembly deeper within the tree. 

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For Files Stored in PDM

If the files you are changing the name of are stored in PDM, you will need to make sure that the assembly and the part are both checked out from PDM. It is also necessary to have write privileges for both the folder that the files are located in and the state that it’s in. 

Recommended Video >> SOLIDWORKS File Management 

How to Rename Files

 Once the setting is turned on, there are a couple of ways to rename the file. 

1.  Right-click on the file in the FeatureManager tree and select Rename Assembly for an Assembly or Rename Part for a Part. 
   
            
   
   
2. Select the file from the tree and hit F2 on your keyboard and the name will become editable.
   
   
   

Once you have renamed the file, all copies of the part will change, and you will see the name change in File Explorer as well. 

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