UsableWebb

To ensure users don’t have trouble downloading files (Word, PowerPoint, Excel files or PDF’s), follow these guidelines when naming files to be uploaded and used on your Web site.

Remove spaces from file names

(hyphens are okay to separate words)

Some web browsers may not recognize the spaces. Spaces can also cause links sent in e-mail to break.

• Marketing Brochure.pdf
• should be changed to:
• MarketingBrochure.pdf

Remove any non-alphanumeric characters

(hyphens are okay to separate words)Non-alphanumeric characters cause problems in web browsers and e-mail programs.

• New Brochure #1.pdf
• should be changed to:
• NewBrochure1.pdf

Simple is better

Descriptive file names help users identify file contents (some users may stumble upon your file via search). However, overly descriptive file names create really long web addresses.

• Letter From a Reader on March 15.pdf
• should be changed to:
• LetterFromReader.pdf
  

Be consistent and thoughtful

(use dates only when relevant)

If you have a weekly or monthly PDF newsletter, be consistent and thoughtful when naming your files. Use dates in your file name only when they are relevant to the content.

Use the following date format in file names: YYYYMMDD.pdf.

• CompanyNews030209.pdf
• should be changed to:
• CompanyNews20090309.pdf

Following this date format will ensure your files are sorted chronologically in Google and other search results.