A File By A Descriptive, Relevant Name

While “a rose by any name smells just as sweet,” files are a whole different story. Have you ever rummaged through your folders for a particular file just to find 10 “Document 1s”? You are not alone!

Thankfully, we can make the search easier by following accessibility guidelines, which emphasize the importance of describing what is in a file. Just like you would read the title of a document before digging into it, assistive technology often reads aloud file names to help users decide whether or not it is the one they are looking for. Follow these best practices to ensure that your files quickly catch your audience’s attention:

• Avoid generic/system-generated names, such as “Document 1.” Vague and common names make it harder to find and differentiate relevant files.
• Use a concise, relevant file name: Create a name that quickly captures the document’s purpose to help all learners determine if they are opening the right one. For example, instead of naming a document “Lecture 2 Notes,” a better name would be “BIO 101 Lecture 2 Notes – Molecular Building Blocks.”

The next time you are saving a document, ask yourself how you can ensure that your file name is unique from others. After all, a file by a descriptive, relevant name smells, looks, and sounds sweeter and more helpful!