Shortcut App To Rename Screen Capture

Question

Shortcut App To Rename Screen Capture

Shortcut app to rename screen capture with date and time and your own description. I followed the below procedure to rename the filename of the screen capture. I was wondering if the date and time could be automatically inserted as the filename where you could accept the filename or edit the filename? I like the idea of using the date and time as the filename since it is unique but it doesn't describe the file. If it could be done, could you post the exact procedure? I spent hours with AI and it says it can be done and gave me the procedure but it doesn't work. I am using a Mac mini with Tahoe.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254965841?sortBy=rank

Posted on Dec 31, 2025 7:46 AM

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Answer 1

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Alancito

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Dec 31, 2025 12:51 PM in response to milesfromtorrance

miles ~ The shortcut linked below was built in macOS Sequoia – but should work for Tahoe. The Save action goes to a Financial folder on the Desktop – but you can change that as you'd prefer. The name defaults to just the current date & time to which a title can be added, eg. Dec 31, 2025 at 9/14 PM – XSHOT OF MY SHORTCUT. The Default Answer in the Ask for Text action can be changed as you'd prefer, and the date & time format could be changed via:

Ask for Text action – Default Answer: Current Date (tap it for options)
Adding a Format Date action – Date Format: Custom (for even more options)

Take & Name Screenshot

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Answer 2

Alancito

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Dec 31, 2025 8:17 AM in response to milesfromtorrance

milesfromtorrance wrote: "...it says it can be done and gave me the procedure but it doesn't work..."

miles ~ Post back with the iCloud link to that shortcut you've created and perhaps someone here will get it working for you:

Share a shortcut through iCloud

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Answer 3

Dec 31, 2025 3:03 PM in response to Alancito

Thank you, I really appreciate it. Works perfectly or better than perfect. It even talks to you. Maybe, I asked the wrong question but AI couldn't figure it out. I use screen captures all the time. It is far easier than writing something down. Copying text from a screen capture makes it even better. By the way, I couldn't figure out how to share the shortcut through iCloud.

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Answer 4

Alancito

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Dec 31, 2025 3:30 PM in response to milesfromtorrance

miles ~ You're welcome! ...I'll be using it too from now on. Consider adding an Extract Text from Image action followed by a Copy to Clipboard action. I can't improve on Apple's steps to "Share a shortcut as a link" here:

Share a shortcut through iCloud

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Answer 5

Dec 31, 2025 4:52 PM in response to Alancito

By the way, do you know of a way to natively use the F13 to F19 function keys with this shortcut? I was able to assign one of those keys to this shortcut but it won't work. All it does is makes a noise. It is not a big deal being adding this shortcut to the dock is faster for me than to use the keyboard.

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Answer 6

Alancito

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Jan 1, 2026 1:20 PM in response to milesfromtorrance

milesfromtorrance wrote: "...do you know of a way to natively use the F13 to F19 function keys with this shortcut?..."

No, sorry I don't.

I noticed that if the shortcut is run, but you immediately cancel the screenshot by hitting the esc key, you're still asked for a file name. The new version 2 below tests for that situation and does not ask for a file name. I also changed the default text, but you can easily change it back: Xshot Jan 1, 2026 at 9:26 PM –

Take & Name Screenshot v2

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Answer 7

Jan 1, 2026 3:46 PM in response to Alancito

Thanks, I will look at it. I had to think real hard if I ever had to cancel a screen capture. I don't think I ever did. If I did it wasn't a big deal. I tried to make another Shortcut following yours and it wasn't as simple as making another one but I did figure it out eventually. I guess I could have copied it and changed the file folder I wanted it in but I wanted to build my own just to learn how to do it. I also found out why I wasn't able to upload the Shortcut. It was a simple setting that wasn't turned on.

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Answer 8

Dec 31, 2025 9:17 AM in response to milesfromtorrance

Here is a screenshot of what I have.

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