Why You Should Never Use "Final" in a Filename

We've all been there. You name a file "report-final.docx". Then someone requests changes. Now it's "report-final-v2.docx". Then "report-FINAL-FINAL.docx". Then "report-FINAL-FINAL-thisone-FOR-REAL.docx".

The Problem

The word "final" in a filename is a lie. Nothing is ever final. Every project has revisions.

The Solution: Version Numbers

Use simple version numbers: report-v01.docx, report-v02.docx, report-v03.docx.

Why v01 instead of v1? Because v01 sorts correctly in every file browser. v1, v10, v2 sorts wrong. v01, v02, v10 sorts right.

Even Better: Date + Version

2026-02-20_quarterly-report-v03.docx

This tells you when it was created AND which version it is. No ambiguity.

Automating This

DocSync's date prefix naming convention automatically adds the date to every file. Combined with version numbers, you never have "final" chaos again.