Name scanned files so you can find them later

Imagine looking for a scan next month. Would you type the course topic, the appliance name or the event? Put that useful clue in the filename. For a fictional workshop handout, try pottery_glazing_notes.pdf instead of scan_0042.pdf. Choose words that will still mean something after you have forgotten the scanning session.

If the document date matters, use one consistent pattern, such as 20261012_pottery_glazing_notes.pdf. Here the digits mean 12 October 2026, the date printed on our fictional handout, not the day it was scanned. If the date is unknown, leave it out rather than guessing. Keep the .pdf or .jpg extension unchanged when renaming; a new name does not convert a file.

For pages saved as separate images, use a shared stem and numbered endings: pottery_glazing_01.jpg, pottery_glazing_02.jpg and pottery_glazing_03.jpg. For a corrected document, use a revision label such as pottery_glazing_notes_v02.pdf. Page numbers and revision numbers answer different questions. Open the files to check their order and contents before replacing an earlier copy.

Rename five related files in your usual file manager or storage app, then close their previews. Can you pick the right document from its name alone? If two names look identical, add the missing topic or document type. Write your naming pattern in a short folder note, then use it on the next batch. There is no need to rename your whole archive in one sitting.