Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder? Simple Methods for Windows, Mac & Linux

Introduction: Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

Have you ever looked at a folder full of files and thought, “Can I copy the names of names of files in a folder without typing them manually?”
Good news — you absolutely can! Whether you’re organizing files, creating an inventory, or sharing a list, copying file names saves time and effort.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple methods for Windows, Mac, and Linux. We’ll also explore copy-to-clipboard options, tools to automate the task, and answers to common questions people search for.

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Why Copying File Names Can Be Useful

Copying file names isn’t just about convenience — it’s a powerful trick that can help in many scenarios: Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

• Creating a file inventory for audits or documentation
• Sharing lists of documents, songs, images, or videos
• Managing project files more efficiently
• Creating backups or version tracking logs
• Exporting data for Excel or Google Sheets

Instead of typing file names one by one, use the built-in tools on your computer to copy them in seconds.

How to Copy Folder File Names to Text: Easy Step-by-Step Methods

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How to Copy File Names from a Folder in Windows

1. Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt provides a quick way to generate a list of file names. Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

Steps:

1. Navigate to the folder using File Explorer.
2. In the address bar, type cmd and press Enter.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type: bashCopyEditdir /b > filenames.txt
4. Press Enter.

This creates a text file (filenames.txt) in the same folder, listing all file names in plain text format.

Bonus Tip:
Use dir /b /s > filenames.txt to include full file paths.

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2. Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a more modern and flexible command-line tool in Windows.

Steps:

1. Open the folder and hold Shift + Right Click in a blank space.
2. Select “Open PowerShell window here.”
3. Type the command below: pgsqlCopyEditGet-ChildItem -Name > filenames.txt
4. Press Enter.

This saves all file names in a text file — ready to be opened in Notepad, Excel, or Word. Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

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3. Copy File Names Directly to Clipboard

Want to copy file names without creating a text file?

Here’s a trick using PowerShell:

pgsqlCopyEditGet-ChildItem -Name | clip

This sends the file names directly to your clipboard. You can paste them anywhere using Ctrl + V.

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How to Copy File Names from a Folder in macOS

1. Using Terminal

The macOS Terminal lets you generate file lists with ease.

Steps:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Navigate to your folder: bashCopyEditcd /Users/yourusername/Documents/yourfolder
3. Run this command: bashCopyEditls > filenames.txt

This creates a file called filenames.txt with a list of all file names inside the folder.

Bonus:
Use ls -R > allfiles.txt to list files in subfolders too.

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2. Use Automator to Copy File Names

Automator is a built-in macOS tool that allows you to automate tasks.

Steps:

1. Open Automator and choose “Application”.
2. Add actions:
   • “Ask for Finder Items”
   • “Get Folder Contents”
   • “New Text File”
3. Save the app and run it whenever you need to copy file names.

It’s a great no-code way to automate file list creation. Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

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How to Copy File Names from a Folder in Linux

1. Using the Terminal

Linux users can use simple Terminal commands.

Steps:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Navigate to your folder: bashCopyEditcd /path/to/your/folder
3. Type: bashCopyEditls > filenames.txt

That’s it — all file names are now saved in filenames.txt.

Optional:
Use ls -R > allfiles.txt to include nested folders.

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Additional Tools to Copy File Names Easily

If you prefer GUI tools over command-line methods, try these options: Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

• Directory List & Print (Windows): Offers formatting and export options
• NirSoft Folder2List (Windows): Lightweight tool for exporting file/folder names
• Print Window (Mac): A utility to print or save file listings
• FreeCommander (Windows): File manager with export features built-in

These tools are user-friendly and perfect for regular file management tasks. Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

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FAQs – People Also Ask

Can I copy just the folder names instead of file names?

Yes! On Windows Command Prompt, use this command:

bashCopyEditdir /ad /b > foldernames.txt

This will list only folder names, not files.

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How do I copy file names into Excel?

After you’ve created a filenames.txt file: Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

1. Open it with Notepad.
2. Copy the list using Ctrl + A > Ctrl + C.
3. Paste into Excel using Ctrl + V.

Each file name will appear in a new row.

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Can I copy file names with paths included?

Yes. Use this Command Prompt command in Windows: Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

bashCopyEditdir /s /b > filenames_with_paths.txt

It will generate full file paths along with file names.

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How do I copy file names of specific types (e.g., .jpg)?

Use:

bashCopyEditdir *.jpg /b > jpgfiles.txt

Or in PowerShell:

pgsqlCopyEditGet-ChildItem *.jpg -Name > jpgfiles.txt

This filters the list by file extension. Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder

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Is there a way to copy file names in alphabetical order?

Yes. The default ls and dir commands usually list files alphabetically. For custom sorting, open the file list in Excel or Notepad++ to organize it.

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Final Thoughts

So, can you copy the names of files in a folder? Absolutely — and it’s simpler than you might think! Can I Copy the Names of Files in a Folder
Whether you prefer built-in commands, third-party tools, or graphical apps, there’s a solution for everyone — on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

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