Folders (Your filing cabinet)

Updated 29 June 2026

Overview

Think of a folder as a drawer in a filing cabinet. Folders are the “main structure” of the Documents app. When folder names are clear and consistent, everyone can upload correctly and find files quickly.

Use folders to:

  • Separate departments (Finance, HR, Sales, Legal) so files don’t mix.
  • Group by time (2026 → April) or by project/customer (Project A → Contracts).
  • Reduce mistakes by giving people an obvious place to upload.
  • Control access (manager feature) so sensitive folders are limited to the right people.

Real-life example: HR creates “HR / Policies” for company policies and “HR / Employee Files” for confidential documents. Only HR users are allowed in “Employee Files”, but everyone can view “Policies”.

How it works

  • Folders can have subfolders (unlimited levels).
  • Each file belongs to a folder (or the “root” if not assigned).
  • Folders show quick stats like File Count and Total Size.
  • Folders can include Allowed Users and Allowed Groups to limit access (manager feature).

Example: Create a top-level folder “Finance”, then subfolders “2026”, “Invoices”, “Bank Statements”. Now everyone knows exactly where to upload and where to look.

Step-by-step guide

  • Go to Documents → Document Management → Folders.
  • Click Create.
  • Fill in the folder Name.
  • (Optional) Set a Parent Folder to make it a subfolder.
  • (Optional) Add a short Description so others know what belongs here.
  • (Managers) Set Allowed Users / Allowed Groups if access should be limited.
  • Click Save.

Fields table (Folder)

Field Explanations (what each one means)

Name

Keep names short and predictable (everyone should recognize them).

Parent Folder

Use this to create “Finance → 2026 → Invoices”.

Owner

 Helpful for responsibility, but not the same as permission.

Description

Write “What goes here” in one sentence.

File Count

Quick check for whether a folder is being used.

Total Size

Useful to spot unusually large folders.

Color

A visual cue for frequent folders (optional).

Allowed Users / Allowed Groups

Use these only when you need restricted access.

Sequence

 Only adjust if you want special ordering in lists.

Tips

  • Create a “Templates” folder for files everyone uses, like letterheads and forms.
  • Agree on naming rules (for example: 2026-04 for months, or “Vendor Name – Invoice Number”).
  • If a folder is cloud-synced, keep the structure stable to avoid confusion during sync moves.

Common mistakes

  • Too many top-level folders: Create 6–10 main folders, then add subfolders.
  • Unclear folder names: Avoid names like “Misc” or “New Folder”.
  • Restricting access too early: If your process needs teamwork, overly strict access can slow everyone down.

Image

Folders (Your filing cabinet)