Information Management Division - Web Standards
It's important to be consistent and descriptive in naming files.The descriptive file name will assist visitors and users when saving a file.
Best Practices
- The file name should be descriptive of the file. Visitors may be saving it.
- Do not use spaces. Instead use:
- dashes: file-name.doc (preferred for search engines)
- or underscores: file_name.doc
- or camel case: FileName.doc
- Special characters should be avoided: ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) ` ; < > ? , [ ] { } ‘ “
- Only 1 dot per filename and it belongs just prior to the file extension
- If a date is included, always use a numeric 8-digit date in the yyyymmdd format.
- If only month and year are available: yyyymm
- If only year is available: yyyy
- Add the year in front of the file name if it's important to sort by year.
- Add the date into to the end of the file name if it's important to sort by name
- Don’t make file names too long; longer names do not work well with all types of software.
- For sequential numbering, use leading zeros to ensure files sort properly. “001, 002” instead of “1, 2, etc.”
Consider the following when naming your files
- Project name
- Locations info
- Researchers name or initials
- Date or date range
- Type of data
- Readability
