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The DNM blog

Writing on file naming, standards,
and Microsoft 365

Field notes on naming conventions, the DNM standard, Microsoft 365 path limits, and how teams keep file names consistent on Windows. Written by the founders of Falcrex Systems Inc in Vancouver, BC.

New here? Start withHow to name filesA convention teams keepThe date format that sorts
Microsoft 365 migration: file-readiness checklist
Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 migration: file-readiness checklist

Check filenames, blocked names and destination paths before a Microsoft 365 migration, then test a representative batch. See where DNM can help.

August 28, 2026
DNM vs folder automation: rules and reviewed naming
Comparisons

DNM vs folder automation: rules and reviewed naming

Compare folder automation with DNM's reviewed naming workflow, including overlapping features, platform differences and safe handoffs.

August 24, 2026
A naming convention small teams actually keep
DNM

A naming convention small teams actually keep

Build a practical team naming convention, configure the fields in DNM, and review suggestions before saving.

August 17, 2026
Why your shared drive is impossible to search
DNM

Why your shared drive is impossible to search

Descriptive names can make shared-drive files easier to identify when content search is unavailable. Learn a practical naming and review workflow.

August 10, 2026
DNM vs Bulk Rename Utility: batch vs standard
Comparisons

DNM vs Bulk Rename Utility: batch vs standard

Compare Bulk Rename Utility's batch controls with DNM's structured naming suggestions and local review-before-save workflow.

August 4, 2026
DNM vs manual naming: typed names vs saved fields
Comparisons

DNM vs manual naming: typed names vs saved fields

Compare manual naming with DNM's saved fields and review-before-save workflow. Teams still need to configure each PC and check their inputs.

July 28, 2026
DNM vs PowerRename: quick fix vs durable standard
Comparisons

DNM vs PowerRename: quick fix vs durable standard

Compare PowerRename's selected text replacements with DNM's saved naming fields and review-before-save workflow on Windows.

July 22, 2026
How to name files so you can actually find them
Start here

How to name files so you can actually find them

Learn how to name files so you can find them later: the Division, date, description, and type pattern, with a real example and how to make it stick.

July 16, 2026
DNM vs ReNamer: your own rules or a standard
Comparisons

DNM vs ReNamer: your own rules or a standard

Compare ReNamer's custom rule chains with DNM's built-in standards, configurable fields and review-before-save workflow.

July 10, 2026
DNM vs Advanced Renamer: methods vs standards
Comparisons

DNM vs Advanced Renamer: methods vs standards

Compare Advanced Renamer's batch methods with DNM's saved naming standards and review-before-save workflow on Windows.

July 6, 2026
Nested folders vs Root_Index.md: token benchmark
AI workflows

Nested folders vs Root_Index.md: token benchmark

A synthetic 100-file token-count comparison of descriptive names, folder indexes and Root_Index.md, with method and limitations.

July 5, 2026
File naming for AI agents: 96% fewer tokens
AI workflows

File naming for AI agents: 96% fewer tokens

In a synthetic 100-file comparison, a descriptive listing used 96.2% fewer tokens than an open-all baseline. Read the method and limitations.

July 4, 2026
DNM vs AI renamers: local rules and content analysis
Comparisons

DNM vs AI renamers: local rules and content analysis

Compare renamer.ai's AI naming approach with DNM's local rules and user-reviewed suggestions for recurring files.

June 29, 2026
Make files Microsoft 365 safe before you migrate
Microsoft 365

Make files Microsoft 365 safe before you migrate

Review common OneDrive and SharePoint naming restrictions. DNM flags potential naming issues locally for you to check before saving.

June 22, 2026
The 12-character rule for file names that scale
Start here

The 12-character rule for file names that scale

Keep filename descriptions short and specific without treating twelve characters as a hard limit or a path-length guarantee.

June 16, 2026
Microsoft 365 path length: 260 vs 400 characters
Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 path length: 260 vs 400 characters

Understand the 260 and 400 character path budgets, their context, and why you need to check the complete destination path.

June 10, 2026
Why I built DNM before EMP
Why it matters

Why I built DNM before EMP

Why DNM shipped first, the everyday naming problem it addresses, and why it stands on its own alongside EMP Intake.

June 4, 2026
How the Strata naming standard came together
The standard

How the Strata naming standard came together

How the Strata naming standard in DNM was built: lead with the Division, sort by YYYYMMDD date, and keep type codes short and memorable.

May 28, 2026
Watch Folder vs drag-and-drop: when to use which
The standard

Watch Folder vs drag-and-drop: when to use which

Watch Folder vs drag-and-drop in DNM: the rule is the source. A coworker hands you files, drag them. A machine produces them, watch the folder.

May 22, 2026
File names that don’t break in Microsoft 365
DNM

File names that don’t break in Microsoft 365

Review common Microsoft 365 filename and path restrictions before migration. DNM can help flag naming issues locally.

May 18, 2026
Why YYYYMMDD is the date format filenames need
Start here

Why YYYYMMDD is the date format filenames need

Why DNM uses compact year-first dates, how YYYYMMDD sorts, and why the rest of a filename still needs validation.

May 11, 2026
Why your file system is a hidden productivity tax
Why it matters

Why your file system is a hidden productivity tax

Explore the time spent searching for files with a hypothetical worked example, clear assumptions and practical naming steps.

May 4, 2026

Reading about naming is step one. Standardizing is step two.

Turn the ideas in these guides into naming rules in DNM. Review the suggested names before saving. Naming and OCR run locally on your Windows PC.

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