Expanding File Folders

Folders with tabs are ideal for both hanging file cabinets and open style filing cabinets.  There are two main kinds available – end tab filing folders and top tab file folders.

End tab filing folders have a tab on the shorter end of the filing folder, which makes them ideal for storage in cabinet shelves and other arrangements where there is no access from the top.  Because there is no need for top side access, end tab file folders are excellent for storing large amounts of files, because you can literally have an entire wall with shelves full of files, and you can easily find the ones that you need.  The length of the tab itself varies but usually it runs for most of the length of the folder, which allow maximum space for labeling.

Top tab filing folders, on the other hand, have their tab along the longer, open side of the filing folder.  This is good for filing cabinets with drawers and hanging filing cabinets, so that when you open the drawer you can easily see and search through the tabs.  Again the length of the tabs varies but they are usually quite long to allow for whatever labeling system you require.

No matter what kind of tab file folders you decide are best for you, you will need to make sure you have a good labeling system in place in order to use them efficiently.  One of the most common is the use of colored letter stickers, where each letter is a different color.  Depending on how many files you have, you place anywhere between two to four stickers on each file to indicate the beginning of the file name.  They are then stored in alphabetical order, and this system makes it very easy to find whatever file you’re looking for.

There are several brand name manufacturers of tab file folders.  Probably the best known is Smead, which produces a big variety of folders in many different sizes and weights.  You can buy both Smead and other brand name folders at most major online retailers and virtually any office supply store offline.