---
name: "g.rename"
section: "1grass"
platform: "linux"
package: "grass-doc"
version: "8.4.1-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/g.rename"
---

# g.rename(1grass)

Renames data base element files in the user’s current mapset.

## NAME

**g.rename**  - Renames data base element files in the user’s current mapset.

## KEYWORDS

general, map management, rename

## SYNOPSIS

**g.rename**\
 **g.rename --help**\
 **g.rename**  \[**raster**=*from,to*\]   \[**raster\_3d**=*from,to*\]   \[**vector**=*from,to*\]   \[**label**=*from,to*\]   \[**region**=*from,to*\]   \[**group**=*from,to*\]   \[--**overwrite**\]  \[--**help**\]  \[--**verbose**\]  \[--**quiet**\]  \[--**ui**\]

### Flags:

- **--overwrite**

  Allow output files to overwrite existing files

- **--help**

  Print usage summary

- **--verbose**

  Verbose module output

- **--quiet**

  Quiet module output

- **--ui**

  Force launching GUI dialog

### Parameters:

- **raster**=*from,to*

  raster map(s) to be renamed

- **raster\_3d**=*from,to*

  3D raster map(s) to be renamed

- **vector**=*from,to*

  vector map(s) to be renamed

- **label**=*from,to*

  paint label file(s) to be renamed

- **region**=*from,to*

  region definition(s) to be renamed

- **group**=*from,to*

  imagery group(s) to be renamed

## DESCRIPTION

*g.rename* allows the user to rename data base element files in the user’s current mapset.  The user can specify all necessary information to *g.rename* on the command line, by specifying:  the type of data base element to be renamed (one or more of:  **raster**, **raster\_3d**, **vector**, **icon**, **labels**, **region**, and **group**); the specific file element in the current mapset to be renamed (*old*); and the new name to be assigned to this file element (*new*) in the current mapset.  The file element *old* is then renamed to *new*.

Users can also simply type *g.rename --help* without arguments on the command line, to receive a menu of existing data base element types and files from which to choose for possible renaming:\

```
       raster   raster map(s) to be renamed
    raster_3d   3D raster map(s) to be renamed
       vector   vector map(s) to be renamed
       labels   paint label file(s) to be renamed
       region   region definition(s) to be renamed
        group   imagery group(s) to be renamed
```

## NOTES

If a data base element has support files (e.g., as is commonly the case with raster maps), these support files also are renamed.

If the user attempts to rename a file to itself by setting the *new* file name equal to the *old* file name (e.g., **g.rename raster=soils,soils**), *g.rename* will not execute the rename, but instead state that no rename is needed.  However, *g.rename* will allow the user to overwrite other existing files in the current mapset by making the *new* file name that of an already existing file.

For portability reasons, *g.rename* is ignoring case of names. To change the case of a map name, first rename the map to a name which differs by more than case, then rename it to the intended name.

## EXAMPLE

```
# rename raster map
g.rename raster=oldrast,newrast
# rename vector map
g.rename vector=oldvect,newvect
# combined renaming
g.rename raster=oldrast,newrast vector=oldvect,newvect
```

## SEE ALSO

*g.copy,* *g.list,* *g.remove*

## AUTHOR

Michael Shapiro, U.S.Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

## SOURCE CODE

Available at: g.rename source code (history)

Accessed: Monday Feb 24 17:50:30 2025

Main index \| General index \| Topics index \| Keywords index \| Graphical index \| Full index

© 2003-2025 GRASS Development Team, GRASS GIS 8.4.1 Reference Manual