Renaming files saved from email services like Gmail (web or app) or Outlook (desktop or web) involves changing their default filename after download, typically within your computer's file explorer (e.g., Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder). Unlike editing documents directly within your email client, you cannot change the attachment name before downloading it through standard interfaces. The downloaded file uses the original name sent by the uploader, requiring a separate manual step post-download using your operating system's file management tools.

Common examples include an office worker downloading a poorly named report attachment (like "document1_final.pdf") from Outlook and renaming it to "Q3_Sales_Report.pdf" immediately in their "Downloads" folder. A freelancer might receive design assets via Gmail attachments, save them, and then rename files like "image234.png" to "ClientLogo_Main_Blue.png" within a dedicated project folder to avoid confusion. This practice occurs across all industries whenever attachments lack descriptive names or require specific naming conventions.

The primary advantage is significantly improved file organization and searchability, making documents easier to find later. The key limitation is the manual effort required; each file must be renamed individually after saving. While built-in renaming before download isn't typically supported, advancements in cloud storage integration (like directly saving to Google Drive or OneDrive) sometimes offer renaming options during the save-to-cloud process, potentially reducing the need for local renaming.