15 Smart File Naming Tips That Will Change Your Workflow

Great file names save hours every week. Here are 15 tips the pros use.

Tip 1: Start with Date (When Relevant)

2025-01-06-meeting-notes.md

Files sort chronologically automatically.

Tip 2: Use ISO Date Format

✅ 2025-01-06 (sorts correctly)
❌ 01-06-2025 (doesn't sort)
❌ 6-1-25 (ambiguous)

Tip 3: All Lowercase

✅ quarterly-report.pdf
❌ Quarterly-Report.PDF

Prevents case-sensitivity issues.

Tip 4: Hyphens Over Spaces

✅ my-document.pdf
❌ my document.pdf

Works in URLs, terminals, everywhere.

Tip 5: Version at the End

logo-company-v2.png
proposal-client-v3.pdf

Keeps versions together when sorted.

Tip 6: Be Specific, Not Generic

❌ image.jpg
✅ sunset-beach-california.jpg

Tip 7: Skip "Final"

❌ report-FINAL.pdf
❌ report-FINAL-v2.pdf
✅ report-2025-01-06.pdf

Tip 8: Include Context

✅ client-acme-proposal-2025.pdf
Not just: proposal.pdf

Tip 9: Use Project Codes

prj-alpha-deliverable-01.pdf
prj-alpha-deliverable-02.pdf

Tip 10: Consistent Numbering

✅ photo-001.jpg (3 digits)
❌ photo-1.jpg (inconsistent)

01, 02... for small batches 001, 002... for large batches

Tip 11: Category Prefixes

doc-annual-report.pdf
img-hero-homepage.jpg
vid-tutorial-setup.mp4

Tip 12: Client/Project First

acme-corp-logo-final.png
acme-corp-brand-guide.pdf

Groups client files together.

Tip 13: Avoid Special Characters

❌ report (draft #1).pdf
✅ report-draft-1.pdf

Tip 14: Keep It Under 50 Characters Long enough to be descriptive. Short enough to be readable.

Tip 15: Let AI Do It

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