# File Increment Name Action

The **File Increment Name Action** node generates a new filename by incrementing the provided file name if a file with the same name already exists.

The node checks the specified file path and increases the filename by appending a number until a non-existing filename is found. No file is created or modified during this process — the node only returns the next available filename.

The resulting file path can then be used by subsequent nodes.

#### Input Parameters

**File Path**\
Full file path (including filename and extension) that should be checked and incremented if necessary.

<figure><img src="https://1398472304-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcJYkTyk9qgh7aCR6dHIm%2Fuploads%2FcwSW7wHbqyNU37uoPLIC%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e27f9ed2-afc2-4b7e-a5ba-5874ae4611ee" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Output and Wildcards

The resulting filename (including full path) is returned and can be accessed using:

* [{stream.last\_result}](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/wildcards/result-or-return-wildcards-2/stream-last_result)
* [{node.result.?}](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/wildcards/result-or-return-wildcards-2/node-result)

#### Behavior

* Checks whether the specified file already exists
* If it exists, increments the filename (e.g., `file.txt` → `file_1.txt` → `file_2.txt`, etc.)
* Returns the first available filename
* Does not create or modify any file
* Supports asynchronous execution

#### Typical Use Cases

* preparing export destinations
* preventing overwriting of existing files
* automated render or delivery workflows
* creating versioned output files

#### Practical Note

Use this node when you want to ensure a process continues even if a target filename already exists.\
Instead of overwriting a file or stopping the workflow, the stream automatically receives a safe, unused filename for the next operation (such as a copy, render, or export).