Records Management - Naming Conventions for Electronic Records

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Why do we need file naming conventions?

To facilitate the efficient storage and the effective retrieval of University records, it is essential that they are named in a consistent and coherent way.

The benefit of file naming is realised in the establishment of a few simple rules, the aim of which is to reduce the problem of decision making, through the encouragement of consistent practice.

By consistency of application, file naming becomes a great deal easier , insofar as the rules for naming become established and learned, with required decisions no longer needing to be thought through time and again and on each and every occasion.

File Naming Conventions - Contents
Convention 1: Making file names short and clear
Convention 2: Avoiding repetition and redundancy in file names
Convention 3: How to delimit words
Convention 4: How to use numbers in file names
Convention 5: How to use dates
Convention 6: Using personal names in file names
Convention 7: Words to avoid using at the start of file names
Convention 8: How to order the elements of a file name
Convention 9: Recurring events - Including dates and descriptions
Convention 10: How to name correspondence records
Convention 11: Applying version numbers and draft status