Avoid common words

Rule 7: Avoid using common words, such as 'draft' or 'letter', at the start of file names.

Avoid using common words such as 'draft' or 'letter' at the start of file names, or all of those records will appear together in the file directory, making it more difficult to retrieve the records you are looking for.

You may only ignore this rule if starting file names with these sorts of words aids the retrieval of the records. See rule 8 for further details.

Rule 8: Order elements appropriately

Example

Correct file name
/…/Publicity/
AdvertisingV01Draft.rtf
AdvertisingV05Final.rtf
BudgetReport2002-2003V20Final.rtf
BudgetReport2003-2004V15Draft.rtf
GrantS20040312.rtf
OfficeProceduresV10Draft.rtf
ThomasA20031205.
(Ordered alphanumerically as the files would be in the directory list)
Incorrect file name
/…/Publicity/
DraftAdvertising.rtf
DraftBudgetReport2003-2004.rtf
DraftOfficeProcedures.rtf
FinalAdvertising.rtf
FinalBudgetReport2002-2003.rtf
LetterAThomas.rtf
LetterSGrant.rtf
(Ordered alphanumerically as the files would be in the directory list)
Explanation:
The file directory will list files in alphanumeric order. This means that all records with file names starting ‘Draft’ will be listed together. When retrieving files it will be more useful to find the draft budget report next to the previous year’s budget, rather than next to an unrelated draft record.

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