Brief and descriptive file names are important in keeping your data files organized. A file name is a principal identifier for a file. A good file name gives information about what the file contains and helps to sort multiple files. This requires a consistent file naming scheme.
Here are some tips for naming files:
- Keep your filenames to a reasonable length
- Order the elements in the name from general to specific
- Use file names to classify types of files
- Use meaningful abbreviations.
- Use underscore (_), hyphen (- ), or capitalized letters to separate elements in the name
- Don’t use spaces, periods, or special characters: ?!& , * % # ; * ( ) @$ ^ ~ ‘ { } [ ] < >
- Use a consistent date format, such as ISO8601: YYYYMMDD, and time if needed HHMMSS
- Explain abbreviations used in your data management plan
- Consider sorting when deciding the order of elements in the file name. File names starting with the date will sort differently than files starting with the project name.
- Use sequential numbering, leading with zeros for clarity (01, 02, …)
- For consistency, include the same elements/information in all files
- Do not use any personal information like a person’s name in a file name
- Avoid generic file names (Examples: MyData.txt)
There are lots of information you could include in a file name: project name, data types, experimental tasks or conditions, date of creation, the technology used. What you choose to include depends on how you plan to use the data later. You cannot include all the information in the file name. What is less important could go into a descriptive file instead.
Make a plan!
If it is helpful for you, use the below template to fit your experiment. Once it is completed, save it in the documentation folder. Updated it as needed. It is a good idea to print it out and hang it near your desk as a reminder. The names should be linked with your methods/instructions.