File Naming & Organization
SquirrelCache can automatically prefix exported filenames with metadata from the photo itself — keeping your archive sorted and self-describing without any manual renaming.
How Filename Prefixes Work
When you choose a prefix, SquirrelCache reads the selected EXIF or date metadata from the photo and prepends it to the original filename using your chosen delimiter. The result looks like:
[PREFIX][DELIMITER][ORIGINAL_FILENAME].[EXTENSION]For example, with a Date Taken prefix and an underscore delimiter:
2026-04-02_IMG_1234.HEICYou can see a live preview of what your filenames will look like in the File Name card on the main screen — it updates as you change the prefix and delimiter.
All 9 Prefix Options
| Prefix | Example Output | Source |
|---|---|---|
| None | IMG_1234.HEIC |
Original filename, unchanged |
| Date Taken | 2026-04-02_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF DateTimeOriginal (date only) |
| Date & Time Taken | 2026-04-02_14-30-45_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF DateTimeOriginal (date + time) |
| Camera Model | iPhone15Pro_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF Model (spaces removed) |
| Camera Make | Apple_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF Make |
| Lens Model | iPhone15ProBackTripleCameraSystem_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF LensModel |
| ISO | ISO100_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF ISOSpeedRatings |
| Focal Length | 24mm_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF FocalLength |
| Aperture | f1.8_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF FNumber / ApertureValue |
| Shutter Speed | 1-250s_IMG_1234.HEIC |
EXIF ExposureTime |
Missing metadata: If a photo doesn't have the selected metadata field (e.g., a screenshot has no EXIF camera data), the prefix is omitted and the original filename is used as-is.
Delimiter Options
The delimiter is the character inserted between the prefix and the original filename. Available options:
| Delimiter | Example |
|---|---|
Underscore _ (default) | 2026-04-02_IMG_1234.HEIC |
Hyphen - | 2026-04-02-IMG_1234.HEIC |
Space | 2026-04-02 IMG_1234.HEIC |
| None | 2026-04-02IMG_1234.HEIC |
Live Preview
The File Name card on the main screen shows a live sample of what your exported filenames will look like with the current prefix and delimiter selected. It updates instantly as you change either setting — no need to run a test export.
Live Photo Naming
When exporting Live Photos, the same prefix is applied to both the image and its paired video component. They share the same base filename so they stay paired:
2026-04-02_IMG_1234.HEIC ← still image
2026-04-02_IMG_1234.MOV ← paired videoSee Live Photos for more on how pairs are organized.
Tips for Photographers
A few prefix combinations that work particularly well for photography workflows:
Chronological archive
Use Date & Time Taken with an underscore delimiter. Files sort chronologically in any file browser and the timestamp is immediately visible in the filename.
2026-04-02_14-30-45_IMG_1234.HEICMulti-camera shoot organization
Use Camera Model to distinguish photos from different devices in a shared folder — handy when merging exports from an iPhone and a mirrorless camera.
iPhone15Pro_IMG_1234.HEIC
SonyA7IV_DSC01234.ARWTechnical reference exports
Use ISO, Aperture, or Shutter Speed for test shoots where you want to quickly identify exposure settings without opening each file.
ISO3200_IMG_1234.HEIC
f1.8_IMG_5678.HEICPair with CSV logging: The CSV log (enabled in Settings) records all EXIF metadata alongside every filename — so even if you use a simple prefix, the full metadata is always available in the spreadsheet.