Home / Learn / Digital & Computer Skills / Files and folders Digital & Computer Skills · Beginner
How to organise files and folders on a computer A file is one saved item — a letter, photo or spreadsheet. A folder is a container that holds files and other folders, like drawers in a filing cabinet.
Ages 9+ (rough guide)
Level Beginner
Subject Digital & Computer Skills
Time 20 minutes
Format Online + printable 1 Learn it2 See it worked3 Try it online4 Print it5 Check your answerBefore you start
Who it's for and what to know first Using a mouse or trackpad to click, double-click and drag.
File Explorer (Windows) and Finder (Mac) are the programs that show your files. Each file has a name and an extension that shows its type: .docx (Word), .pdf, .jpg (photo), .xlsx (spreadsheet). When you save, check the location: choose the folder before clicking Save. ‘Save As’ lets you pick a new name or place. Rename: right-click the file and choose Rename (Windows), or click once and press Enter (Mac). Move a file by dragging it into a folder. Copy with Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+C / Cmd+V (Mac). Good names include what and when: ‘2026-09 Gas bill.pdf’ is easier to find than ‘scan001.pdf’. Dates written year-month-day sort in order. Lost something? Use the search box in File Explorer or Finder, or Spotlight (Cmd+Space) on a Mac. Worked example 1
You downloaded ‘document(3).pdf’, which is your car insurance. Tidy it up. Open the Downloads folder. Rename it to ‘2026 Car insurance.pdf’. Create a folder in Documents called ‘Car’ if it does not exist. Drag the file into the Car folder. Answer: Documents › Car › 2026 Car insurance.pdf
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Practice questions Beginner · ages 9+
Files and folders Name Date
Answer each question.
1. What is the Windows program for browsing files called? 2. What is the Mac program for browsing files called? 3. Which file extension is usually a photo: .docx, .jpg or .xlsx? 4. Which option lets you save a copy with a new name? 5. Windows keyboard shortcut to copy? 6. Which order sorts dates correctly: day-month-year or year-month-day? Answer each question.
1. What is the Windows program for browsing files called? File Explorer 2. What is the Mac program for browsing files called? Finder 3. Which file extension is usually a photo: .docx, .jpg or .xlsx? .jpg 4. Which option lets you save a copy with a new name? Save As 5. Windows keyboard shortcut to copy? Ctrl+C 6. Which order sorts dates correctly: day-month-year or year-month-day? year-month-day Saving everything to the Desktop or Downloads and never sorting it. Deleting a folder without checking what is inside — look first; the Recycle Bin/Trash can restore mistakes. Last reviewed: 25 September 2026
