Tips & Tricks

Organize Your Documents

Do you dump every file you create into your My Documents folder? Is it the digital equivalent to a messy 5 year old's room? Well, never fear, the computer cleaner is here! (And I can't believe I just said that, much less going to publish it.)

Anyhow, the best way to keep things organized is not to create any documents in the first place. Think about it - no docs, no mess. After all, you only got a computer to read this newsletter right? Right??

OK since that probably won't work for ya, let's go with the second best way. Try setting up sub-folders inside the My Documents folder. Make one for each "category" of document that you have.

For example, you could have a folder for letters, one for invoices, another for sales letters, and so on. It makes keeping track of stuff much easier. Here's how to set it up:

1. Click the Start button, Documents, My Documents (XP users, hit the Start button, My Documents). This should open your "My Documents" folder.

2. Create a new folder with an appropriate name (Right-click any blank area and select New, Folder from the resulting menu.)

3. Finally, drag any documents that belong in that folder to it. That's it. You can create as many of these little sub-folders under the "My Documents" folder as you need.

Oh, one final suggestion - you may want to make yearly folders too. For example, at the end of this year, make a folder called "2002 Docs". Then move everything you've made (folders and all) into that folder. Gives you a fresh start for the new year. (OK, so it's the Windows equivalent of shoving toys under the bed, but who cares? It works!)

Now, if only I could apply this technique to my daughter's room...

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