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Practical advice

AI toolsBeginner3 min read

Name files clearly before asking AI to compare them

Make multi-document work easier to check by giving each source a stable, descriptive name before it enters the conversation.

The practical answer

Start with this principle

Clear filenames reduce ambiguity for both the AI and the person checking its answer. A good name identifies the document, version and date without exposing unnecessary personal data.

Do this in order

Three steps you can use today

  1. Use a consistent pattern

    Combine document type, subject, date and version, such as Supplier-Terms-2026-07-v2. Keep the pattern simple enough for the whole team.

  2. Remove misleading versions

    Move drafts and superseded files out of the upload set. If two versions matter, explain which is current and why the older one is included.

  3. Ask for source references

    Tell the AI to name the file behind each important point. Open the original and verify the passage before acting on it.

Copy and adapt

File naming convention

Rename before uploading, not after.

Pattern: YYYY-MM-DD_what-it-is_version
Examples:
  2026-07-14_pricing-policy_v3.pdf
  2026-06-02_supplier-terms_current.docx
  2026-05-19_process-notes_draft.md

Avoid: final.pdf, final-FINAL.pdf, scan001.pdf, Document (2).docx

The AI reads the file name as a clue to what the file is. A file called
scan001 tells it nothing, so it guesses, and it guesses wrong.