---
title: Filename Structure Placeholders Reference
description: "The {tokens} that build WordPress upload filenames: available placeholders, an example, and custom tokens."
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/filename-structure-placeholders-reference/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: References
---

# Filename Structure Placeholders Reference

The filename structure placeholders are the `{tokens}` that decide how [Rename Media Files: Improve Your WordPress SEO](https://wpfactory.com/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/) builds each uploaded file's name. You place tokens in the **Filename structure** field (default `{siteurl}{posttitle}{filename}`) under **WPFactory > File Renaming > General Settings**, and you switch each token on under the **Rules** tab. This page lists every token, whether it is free or Pro, and what it inserts.

### How tokens work

A token only takes effect when its matching rule is enabled on the **Rules** tab. Tokens are joined by the character set in **Character(s) used to separate rules** (`filename_structure_chars_between`, default `-`), and the finished name is capped at **Max length** (`filename_structure_max_length`, default `200`).

### Available placeholders

| Token | Rule (Option ID) | Inserts | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `{filename}` | `filename` | The original uploaded filename. | Free |
| `{siteurl}` | `siteurl` | Your site URL (editable text). | Free |
| `{posttitle}` | `posttitle` | Title of the post the file is attached to. | Free |
| `{datetime}` | `datetime` | The date and time the rule runs, in a PHP `date()` format (default `Y-m-d_H-i-s_u`). | Free |
| `{uploaddate}` | `uploaddate` | The file's upload date (default format `Y-m-d_H-i-s`). Unlike `{datetime}`, this is the upload time, not the run time. | Pro |
| `{custom_string}` | `custom_string` | A fixed text string you define. | Pro |
| `{postslug}` | `postslug` | Slug of the attached post. | Pro |
| `{postid}` | `postid` | ID of the attached post. | Pro |
| `{userid}` | `userid` | ID of the uploading user. | Pro |
| `{userrole}` | `userrole` | Role of the uploading user. | Pro |
| `{username}` | `username` | Username of the uploading user. | Pro |
| `{wc_prod_sku}` | `wc_prod_sku` | SKU of the related WooCommerce product (WooCommerce only). | Pro |
| `{cf:fieldname}` | `custom_field_rule` | Value of a custom field on the attached post, for example `{cf:_myfield}`. | Pro |
| `{tax:taxonomy-slug}` | `taxonomy_rule` | Post terms from a taxonomy, for example `{tax:category}`. | Pro |

### Example

With the Site URL, Post title and Filename rules enabled and a structure of `{siteurl}{posttitle}{filename}`, a file `dog.jpg` uploaded to a post titled "Nice Dogs" on a site named "Dogs for Life" becomes something like `dogs-for-life-com-nice-dogs-dog.jpg`.

### Custom tokens

Developers can add their own `{token}` with the `frou_sanitize_file_name` filter. See the hooks and filters reference for a working example.

### Need a hand?

Our team answers every ticket on the [Rename Media Files support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/).

Related articles

- [Configuring Filename Structure on Upload Plugin](https://wpfactory.com/docs/filename-structure-configuration/)
- [File Renaming Settings Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/file-renaming-settings-reference/)
- [File Renaming Hooks and Filters Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/file-renaming-hooks-and-filters/)
- [Uploaded Media Gets Blank Filename When Post Title Is Empty](https://wpfactory.com/docs/media-blank-filename-post-title-empty/)