Paste a filename, folder name, or full path to check for naming problems that can affect Windows, OneDrive, SharePoint, Macs, and other platforms. Get clear results and a safer suggested version.
A name that works on your computer can still fail when it is synced, shared, or moved to another platform.
Enter a name above to check it.
Suggested safe version
Some characters were simplified for broader compatibility.
Suggested names are compatibility recommendations only. The tool does not check whether the name already exists in your system.
A short guide to naming files and folders that work reliably across platforms.
| Safe characters | Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods. Avoid special characters like * : " < > ? | # % & which are restricted on one or more platforms. |
|---|---|
| Use lowercase | Some systems treat Report.docx and report.docx as different files. Lowercase avoids confusion and prevents duplicate-file problems when syncing. |
| Date format | Use YYYY-MM-DD at the start of the name (e.g., 2026-03-25-meeting-notes.docx). This format sorts chronologically in every file browser. |
| Version numbers | Add a version suffix like v01, v02 at the end of the name, before the extension. This is clearer than "Final" or "FINAL-v2-REAL" and sorts naturally. |
| Path length | Windows and synced OneDrive/SharePoint folders have a 260-character path limit. Long folder names nested several levels deep can push you past this limit faster than you expect. |
| Folder depth | Every level of nesting adds to the total path length. Shorter folder names and fewer levels give you more room for descriptive filenames without hitting platform limits. |
| Cross-platform | Name files for the strictest platform you use. If your files ever touch Windows, OneDrive, or SharePoint, follow their rules even if you work mainly on a Mac. |
Explore more guidance on file and folder naming.
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