Organize your files

File naming and folder hierarchy

Keeping track of research data and documentation is critical. Strategies include:

• Spend time planning out both folder hierarchy and file naming conventions in the beginning of a project. Consider how you or others will look for and access files at a later date. Do you think about them by type, location, study or something else?
• Establish a folder hierarchy that aligns with the project. Example: [Project] / [Experiment] / [Instrument or Type of file]
• Consider all aspects of the project and develop a file naming scheme that includes important metadata. Example: [Date]_[Run]_[SampleType]
• Consider sorting when deciding what element of the file name will go first. File names starting with YYYYMM will sort differently than files starting with the MMDDYYYY format.
• Provide a method for easy adoption. Consider a shared dropbox with the folder hierarchy in place and a readme file in onboarding documentation for new contributors.
• Check for established file naming conventions. Many disciplines have recommendations, for example: DOE’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program.

Need more help?

Consider these resources:

• Naming and organizing your files and folders worksheet
• Documenting your naming and organization schema, sample and template READMEs
• File naming best practices handout (pdf)
• Batch file renaming tools handout (pdf)
• Version control tools & techniques handout (pdf)
• Tagging and Finding Your Files (web page)

Download the whole file organization package.

Also see our materials from our workshop on file organization.