How to Reorganize a File Cabinet
Think about how you want your file drawers to be organized., Go through each drawer one at a time, making a brief list of the contents., Find a clean workspace such as a desk or table and take a preliminary look through any loose paperwork., Once...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Think about how you want your file drawers to be organized.
If a system comes to mind—bills in one drawer, tax information in another, et cetera-make notes on a pad of paper. -
Step 2: Go through each drawer one at a time
If you already have files set up, write down the names of the files and their contents. , Start sorting the papers into piles according to how you would like them organized: credit card bills in one pile, expense reports in another, and so on.
This is a good time to set aside out-of-date items for storage or shredding. ,, For work files, you might want a file for each project or department; for personal files, you might separate them according to type of bill.
Keep in mind that you may want to sub-organize items by month or year. , Put each drawer on a separate page.
On the left side of the page, list "category" files; these are usually hanging folders.
On the right side of the page, list the individual files you want in each category; these are usually manila folders.
For example, a hanging file labeled "Credit Card Bills" might contain folders labeled "MasterCard," "Visa," and "Gas Card," or you might have files labeled "Bills 2005," "Bills 2004," and so on. , A series of hanging files combined with manila files, all clearly labeled, is a great way to organize any file system.
Go to an office supply store and pick up the appropriate size files along with your choice of file folder labels. , Apply the labels to the hanging folders and manila file folders. , Now empty all your old files and put the paperwork in the appropriate places.
Do the same for any loose paperwork. , Now you're finished! -
Step 3: making a brief list of the contents.
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Step 4: Find a clean workspace such as a desk or table and take a preliminary look through any loose paperwork.
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Step 5: Once all unsorted items have been separated
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Step 6: add any new categories to your list.
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Step 7: Look carefully at your list and decide on the most appropriate method of organization for you
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Step 8: your office
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Step 9: or your household.
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Step 10: Make a new
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Step 11: clean list of files you will need to label.
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Step 12: Be sure you have all of the supplies you need.
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Step 13: Type up and/or print out your file labels.
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Step 14: Go through your file drawers
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Step 15: one at a time
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Step 16: and put in the new empty files in alphabetical order.
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Step 17: Put an appropriate label on the outside of each file drawer and throw away all the nasty old folders.
Detailed Guide
If a system comes to mind—bills in one drawer, tax information in another, et cetera-make notes on a pad of paper.
If you already have files set up, write down the names of the files and their contents. , Start sorting the papers into piles according to how you would like them organized: credit card bills in one pile, expense reports in another, and so on.
This is a good time to set aside out-of-date items for storage or shredding. ,, For work files, you might want a file for each project or department; for personal files, you might separate them according to type of bill.
Keep in mind that you may want to sub-organize items by month or year. , Put each drawer on a separate page.
On the left side of the page, list "category" files; these are usually hanging folders.
On the right side of the page, list the individual files you want in each category; these are usually manila folders.
For example, a hanging file labeled "Credit Card Bills" might contain folders labeled "MasterCard," "Visa," and "Gas Card," or you might have files labeled "Bills 2005," "Bills 2004," and so on. , A series of hanging files combined with manila files, all clearly labeled, is a great way to organize any file system.
Go to an office supply store and pick up the appropriate size files along with your choice of file folder labels. , Apply the labels to the hanging folders and manila file folders. , Now empty all your old files and put the paperwork in the appropriate places.
Do the same for any loose paperwork. , Now you're finished!
About the Author
Kathleen Wilson
Writer and educator with a focus on practical home improvement knowledge.
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