How to Rename Audio Clips in Audacity

Organizing complex audio projects requires keeping track of individual takes, samples, and edits. This guide explains how to quickly rename individual audio clips within an Audacity project using the clip title bar features introduced in modern versions of the software. Following these simple steps will help you maintain an organized timeline and streamline your editing workflow.

Requirements

To rename individual clips natively, ensure you are running Audacity version 3.1.0 or newer. Earlier versions treated tracks as continuous waveforms without independent clip title headers.

Method 1: Double-Click the Clip Title Bar

The fastest way to rename a clip is directly from the timeline:

  1. Locate the audio clip you want to rename on your track.
  2. Look at the top of the clip for the Clip Title Bar (the thin horizontal bar showing the clip's current name).
  3. Double-click directly on the clip name.
  4. The text will become highlighted in an editable text box.
  5. Type your new clip name and press Enter (or click anywhere outside the box) to save the changes.

Method 2: Use the Clip Context Menu

If you prefer using menus or keyboard navigation:

  1. Right-click the Clip Title Bar at the top of the specific clip.
  2. Select Rename Clip... from the context menu.
  3. A dialog box will appear prompting you to enter a new name.
  4. Type the new name into the field and click OK or press Enter.

How to Split Clips Before Renaming

If you need to rename only a specific section of a larger recording, you must first split it into its own independent clip:

  1. Select the Selection Tool (F1) from the toolbar.
  2. Click on the waveform at the exact point where you want the split to occur.
  3. Press Ctrl + I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + I (macOS), or navigate to Edit > Clip Boundaries > Split.
  4. Audacity will create a vertical split line, giving the new section its own title bar that can now be renamed independently using either method above.