File Name Formatting

Whether you are using a Microsoft Windows computer, or a MAC computer, or a Linux Web server, if you always follow the file name formatting advice below, you should never have file name compatibility problems between all computer platforms. Over the years, one of the most common technical support issues I deal with is desktop computer users, both Microsoft Windows and MAC, having problems with the files that they upload to their website. This is because they use CAPS, spaces and punctuation characters in the names of their files on their computers. The use of CAPS, spaces and punctuation characters is NOT compatible across all computer platforms. Commas and apostrophes can really cause havoc on a website server when they are used in file names.

If you ALWAYS name your files/documents using the following rules, you won't have any compatibility problems.

• Use lowercase Alpha/Numeric characters.
• Never use spaces.
• The _ and - characters may be used. These are useful to be used between words in place of spaces.
• Only use a single period in a file name; just before the file extension. The MAC operating system does not use file extensions, but Microsoft Windows and Linux do. If MAC users use file extensions their files will be compatible across all platforms.
• Keep your file names under 30 characters; including the file extension.

Below are examples of how files should be formatted:

• my_new_resume.doc
• meeting-minutes_070809.pdf