# When uploading files to DR-NTU (Data), do I need to name the files in a specific way?

**Source**: https://libfaq.ntu.edu.sg/faq/266701
**Parent**: https://libguides.ntu.edu.sg/drntudataguidespolicies/depositor

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##

Good file names provide useful cues to the content, status and version of a file. Good file names helps in classifying and sorting files.

Best practice is to:

- Use meaningful but brief names
- Use names to classify types of files
- Avoid spaces, dots and special charaters (& or ! or ?)
- Use underscores (\_), hyphens (-) or initial caps (InitialCaps)
- Include versioning within names where appropriate
- Avoid very long file names
- Recommended format for dates: YYYYMMDD

Some examples are:

- [Project]-[Data type]-[Date in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss]\_[Version number]
- [Figure/Table number]-[Description]\_[Version number]

### Links & Files

- [Source: UK Data Service
  Opens in new window](https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/manage-data/format/organising)

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