Do you struggle with keeping your computer files in order?  Have you ever spent 30mins looking for a file and then giving up because you could not find it?  Could you do with some help or tips on organising your computer folders and files?

If you answered yes, to any of these questions… please read on!

Organising your computer folders and files can be time consuming or a little overwhelming, especially if you have a large number of files.  Michelle previously wrote about The Importance of File Management, so today we’re going to provide you with a solution for how to organise your folders and files. Our tip is to use a number or alpha system.

As an example, imagine you had three different businesses; Bauhinia Solutions, ME Inc Consulting and Raspberry Printers.  When you create a folder for each business, on your computer, they are alphabetically organised as are your files.  Let’s say you wanted them to appear as ME Inc Consulting, Bauhinia Solutions and Raspberry Printers.

To display them in order, use either a number or a letter.  As an example:-

1 – ME Inc Consulting
2 – Bauhinia Solutions
3 – Raspberry Printers

By numbering them, the folders will appear at the top of your C:/ drive or My Folders.

Next, set up a similar filing system for each business.  Let’s say you have a folder for your accounts, website, marketing and business planning.  Create all those folders under each business folder.  Again use a number of alpha system.  If you’re going to have more than 9 folders within the business, use the alpha system because they’ll appear in the order you wish.  If you use a number system, as soon as you have number 10, it will display beneath the number 1 folder.

As an example:-

1 – ME Inc Consulting
a – accounts
b – business planning
c – marketing
d – website

2 – Bauhinia Solutions
a – accounts
b – business planning
c – marketing
d – website

3 – Raspberry Printers
a – accounts
b – business planning
c – marketing
d – website

The benefits of such a system is that your backed up information is organised, you can find your files quickly and it will give you a sense of order in a sea of computer files.

If you found this useful, please let us know.  Can you offer any additional tips to organising your computer folders and files?

Computer Tip is a monthly blog topic. If you would like to know how to do something relating to your software, please feel free to email us at computertips@bauhiniasolutions.com.