Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Renaming a Document.

Renaming a Document

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated December 31, 2016)

There is no intrinsic command within Word that allows you to rename documents or files, as there is in some other programs. It is true that you can simply save a document out under a new name, but that results in two files on your drive instead of one. You can use the following steps to rename a document quickly and easily, all within Word:

Make sure the document you want to rename is not loaded into Word. (Close it if it is loaded.)
Click on the Open tool on the toolbar or choose Open from the File menu. You will see the Open dialog box.
In the list of files contained in the dialog box, right-click on the one you want to rename. This displays a Context menu for the document.
Choose Rename from the Context menu. The document name is highlighted, and you have the opportunity to change the name.
Once the document name is changed, press Enter.
Close the Open dialog box by clicking on Cancel.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1115) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Renaming a Document.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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What is 3 - 3?

2018-02-06 07:57:12

Cindy C

There is no "rename" choice. Maybe 10.1 (+ whatever upgrade we're at now) is the problem. LOL - it usually is! Thanks anyway.

2017-10-26 11:37:47

Diane

I want to change the extension of all my Word documents from the 1997-2003 version (doc) to the newer version (docx). I know I can just resave under the new version, but that changes the last revision date. Is there any way to change to docx without changing the revision date? Thanks

2017-01-09 13:44:26

Tammy

Thanks but... when I get to your step 4, rename is not there as an option😳Only : open, open a copy, copy path to clipboard, pin to list, remove to list, and clear unpinned documents. Please please help me!
Thanks

2017-01-01 00:02:55

PFL

I think the whole point of this tip is to avoid the second "copy". Using the desktop still creates a second copy.

2016-12-31 13:37:21

Allan Poe

There is an easier way to change a document's name.
Put a copy of it on the desktop.
Change the name.
That's it.

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