Summary
Changes the name of a dataset. This includes a wide variety of data types, among them feature dataset, raster, table, and shapefile.
Usage
- The output name must be unique. If it is not, an error message is issued, even if the geoprocessing overwrite output environment is set to true. 
- This tool does not rename layers, since a layer is a reference to a dataset. 
- Rename does not rename fields in the dataset. For example, suppose you have a field named ROADS_ID on a feature class named Roads. Renaming the Roads feature class to Streets does not rename the ROADS_ID field to STREETS_ID. 
- This tool does not work with data stored in a DB2 database because of database constraints. 
Syntax
Rename(in_data, out_data, {data_type})| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type | 
| in_data | The input data to be renamed. | Data Element | 
| out_data | The name for the output data. | Data Element | 
| data_type (Optional) | The type of data to be renamed. The only time you need to provide a value is when a geodatabase contains a feature dataset and a feature class with the same name. In this case, you need to select the data type (feature dataset or feature class) of the item you want to rename. | String | 
Code sample
The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the Rename function in immediate mode.
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.Rename_management("customers.dbf", "customers_2010.dbf")The following Python script demonstrates how to use the Rename function in a stand-alone script.
# Name: Rename_Example2.py
# Description: Rename fileGDB feature class
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
# Set workspace
env.workspace = "C:/workspace/test.gdb"
# Set local variables
in_data =  "test"
out_data = "testFC"
data_type = "FeatureClass"
# Execute Rename
arcpy.Rename_management(in_data, out_data, data_type)Environments
Licensing information
- Basic: Yes
- Standard: Yes
- Advanced: Yes