Windows file naming

However, I do still organize my data files by year for backup purposes, as pictured below. This annual folder approach allows me to use an online backup service Microsoft OneDrive in my case to more easily back up my current - year data folder automatically my older data files are manually archived off - site each year end.

I also use my annual folder approach to continuously sync the data files on my Atlanta computer to my satellite office computer on Jekyll Island, Ga. This approach not only provides an extra backup, it also enables me to travel seamlessly from one office to the next without having to transfer data files each trip. This way, my data are well backed up locally, off - site , and online. I sometimes use this tool instead of the Windows index search tool when I know at least part of the file name I'm seeking.

That's because, unlike Windows's index search, Everything does not search file content, making it easy to search file names only. Furthermore, Everything works as if all the files on your computer are contained in one gigantic folder, so it searches your entire computer instantly, which means you don't have to second-guess whether a given file is in your My Documents folder, Downloads folder, Desktop , etc.

For example, I searched for an expense report from a business trip to Birmingham, Ala. This tool instantly served up 10 data files containing that phrase in the file name. Thereafter, double-clicking the appropriate file name launches the file. File - naming conventions: With today's effective file search tools such as the two described above, the specific file - naming protocol you use is not as important as it used to be, but it is still a good idea to follow certain file - naming conventions, as follows:.

In addition, you might also consider adding properties to your files moving forward. For example, in Microsoft Word and Excel, you can select File , Info , Properties , Advanced Properties to display the Properties box shown below for Word , where you can add detailed properties about your files.

These types of details can make it easier to search for and locate files in the future. With more than a half - million Excel, Word, and PowerPoint files on my computer, there's no chance I'll ever take the time to go back and rename any of them, much less all of them.

There is also no chance I'll ever go back and try to reorganize them into specific folders. At this juncture, my best approach and probably your best approach is to leverage today's advanced index search tools to help me find the files I want. Carlton Collins carlton asaresearch. Do you have technology questions for this column? A segment of a single or double period is normalized in the previous step. If the last segment is simply a single or double period, it falls under the relative components rule above.

This rule means that you can create a directory name with a trailing space by adding a trailing separator after the space. You should never create a directory or filename with a trailing space. Trailing spaces can make it difficult or impossible to access a directory, and applications commonly fail when attempting to handle directories or files whose names include trailing spaces. There is one important exception: a device path that begins with a question mark instead of a period.

To get access to paths that are normally unavailable but are legal. A file or directory called hidden.

Most APIs allow this, with some exceptions. NET Framework. Skipping normalization and max path checks is the only difference between the two device path syntaxes; they are otherwise identical.

Be careful with skipping normalization, since you can easily create paths that are difficult for "normal" applications to deal with. It supports arbitrary length paths up to the maximum string size that Windows can handle. A peculiarity of the Windows file system that non-Windows users and developers find confusing is that path and directory names are case-insensitive.

That is, directory and file names reflect the casing of the strings used when they are created. For example, the method call. If you rename a directory or file to change its case, the directory or file name reflects the case of the string used when you rename it. For example, the following code renames a file named test. However, directory and file name comparisons are case-insensitive. If you search for a file named "test. TXT", "test. TXT", and any other combination of uppercase and lowercase letters will match "test.

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Any additional feedback? Important Note the difference between the last two paths. Note DOS device path syntax is supported on. Important Relative paths are dangerous in multithreaded applications that is, most applications because the current directory is a per-process setting. Important You should never create a directory or filename with a trailing space. Submit and view feedback for This product This page. View all page feedback. In this article. Best iPad Air Cases.

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