If your office space is more of a DIY project than a well-thought-out design, you know how hard it can be to find storage pieces that are both functional and stylish. Flat files are a great example of this — they’re a workhorse piece that’s used for a wide variety of purposes, from storing and organizing documents to stashing paper supplies to acting as a makeshift desk. And, if your work requires you to have a lot of physical paperwork, you’re definitely going to need some kind of filing system.
Read on for our list of best flat files.
Our Editor’s Best Office Flat Files Reviews
- Expansion and organization made easy
- Closed on sides and bottom to keep papers and small items safe and secure.
- Gusseted sides expand with your project needs.
- Perfect for travel.
- Full-length tab on back cover provides ample room for labels or handwritten titles.
- VERSATILE USE - Organize your work area efficiently! Store blueprints, schematics, documenst and papers up to 24”x 36”. This blueprint cabinet holds up to 500 sheets per unit, 750 semi-active, or 1,000 inactive.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION - Our architect file cabinet has heavy gauge steel base & scratch-resistant surface. The flat file drawer endures daily wear-and-tear, and is stackable.
- CONVENIENT STORAGE - The drawer depressors and the ball-bearing sliders will ensure that your papers are aligned properly and do not curl. Use the base holes to get your documents quickly without tearing.
- SAFE & CUSTOMIZED - Use the secure lock to safeguard you sensitive documents. Assign the flat file drawers to individuals, specific projects, or subject matters with the label holders.
- SIZE AVAILABILITY - Choose from cabinets that support documents size 20"x36", 30"x42", and 36"x48". Ideal for classrooms, art studios, and printing shops, catering to large projects.
- METAL CABINET FEATURES- Drawers feature heavy-duty nylon rollers and courtesy stop, rear hood and hinged front document depressor.
- OFFICE STORAGE- Stack up to 5 units.
- FILE CABINETS COMPATIBILITY- Safco Products Closed Low Base Model 4997BLR, stack up to 2 units on Safco Products Open High Base Model 4977BL, optional Lock Kit includes lock and two keys Model 4981.
- DIMENSIONS-Label holder on drawer fronts dimensions 3.25"W x 1 â…ž"H (OD).
- Secure File Storage: Every drawer includes a rear hood to shield documents, and a hinged edge prevents curling, so your sheets stay protected and well-preserved
- Heavy Duty Construction: Crafted from durable steel with a powder coat finish for added strength; Features latches to keep drawers tightly shut and bolts to keep them in place when open
- Smooth & Quiet Operation: This filing cabinet is equipped with extra-strength rails for precise drawer alignment, ensuring seamless sliding without jams; Nylon rollers offer noise-free operation
- Product Dimensions: This storage cabinet measures 32"D x 46.25"W x 16.25"H; Each drawer accommodates up to 300 active, 450 semi-active, or 600 inactive files and can hold up to 60 lbs.
- 100-pack of letter-size manila file jackets
- Flat style (no expansion); holds up to 25 sheets
- Closed on 3 sides for document security
- Full-height sides help prevent materials from slipping out
- Reinforced straight-cut tab for long-lasting strength
- FLAT FILE – The WORKPRO W051002 Flat File has an ergonomic design, anti-slip, and comfortable grip so you can easily sharpen your tools
- DURABLE – This 10 inch file features durable, precise coated teeth that offer double cut on one face of the file and single cut on the sides
- ANTI-SLIP GRIP – It is constructed of high carbon hardened steel with an ergonomic anti-slip grip that offers excellent control while filing
- DEBURR ITEMS – You can also use this file to deburr items or take a sharp edge off
- MULTIPURPOSE TOOL – This file is a great multipurpose tool for professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike
- METAL CABINET FEATURES- Drawers feature heavy-duty nylon rollers and courtesy stop, rear hood and hinged front document depressor
- OFFICE STORAGE- Stack up to 5 units
- FILE CABINETS COMPATIBILITY- Safco Products Closed Low Base Model 4995BLR, optional Lock Kit includes lock and two keys Model 4981
- DIMENSIONS- Label holder on drawer front dimensions 3.25"W x 1 â…ž"H (OD)
- All-Purpose Sorter features durable plastic construction with 31 flexible leaves
- Sort any flat documents or objects measuring 9-1/2" or less
- Tabs are labeled with five categories: alphabetical, numerical, monthly, day-of-the-month and day-of-the-week
- Great for organizing bills, cards, papers, and more
- 【HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL】- The files are made of premium material T12 carbon steel and the body hardness up to 62～66HRC. The teeth were deeply quenched and coated for durable filing performance
- 【APPLICABLE SCOPE】- File, de-burr and shape Metal, Wood, Jewelry, Plastics, Ceramics, Glass and more
- 【CARE INSTRUCTION】- A light touch of machine oil is used to preserve their surface finish.
- 【Waring】- Because of The teeth were deeply quenched and coated, the file cannot accept being dropped.
- 【Notice】- Any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please let us know. Our professional after-sales team will reply you within 24 hours and help you solve the problem.
- ENHANCED ORGANIZATION: Organize your paperwork with this set of 100 letter size (11-3/4" x 9-1/2") manila file jackets (flat, no expansion) with full height sides for document security and reinforced straight-cut tabs for extra durability
- ESSENTIAL AND RELIABLE: Keep your documents organized and secure with these sturdy 11-point manila stock file jackets; durable, reinforced tabs maintain their shape after frequent use, making these file jackets great for taking documents on the go
- DURABLE AND SECURE: Designed for quality and reliability, this jacket effortlessly holds up to 50 sheets of paper and is enclosed on three sides to keep your files and papers secure, preventing them from shifting or becoming disorganized
- UPGRADE YOUR FILING EXPERIENCE: The straight-cut tab gives ample space to describe the contents and flexibility in labeling; for additional storage, apply one of our Self-Adhesive Poly Pockets (68185) to the outside (sold separately)
- SUSTAINABLE AND MADE IN USA: These folders are proudly made in the USA and contain 10% recycled content and 10% post-consumer material; SFI certified, reflecting Smead's commitment to environmental responsibility
Best Office Flat Files Buying Guide
Before choosing the best office flat files you should consider following options:
1. Size: The first thing you need to figure out is the size that you need. This will depend on the number of documents you want to store and how often you need to access them.
An office file cabinet with too many drawers is not efficient. Too few drawers will mean that you waste space. The standard configuration for a cabinet is two to three drawers.
Pick a size that allows you to efficiently organize your documents and makes it easy for you to reach and retrieve them.
2. Number of drawers: The number of drawers in an office file cabinet is an important consideration.
You should keep in mind that an over-complicated or too many number of drawers can lead to a chaotic filing system. You don’t want to have to open multiple drawers to find the documents you are looking for.
A good number of drawers is between 2 and 4. The number of drawers will depend on the number of employees who need to access the cabinet and the type of documents you file.
3. Ease of use: A cabinet that is easy to use is one that has drawers that slide smoothly and evenly.
It is also important that the cabinet has drawers that are easy to open and close. Drawers that stick or break easily are a clear indication that the cabinet is of poor quality.
4. Security: A good quality office file cabinet should have a locking mechanism. Strong and sturdy locks are an indication of a secure cabinet.
A cabinet with a lock ensures that the documents inside remain private. Make sure the lock works smoothly and is easy to use.
5. Materials: The materials of the cabinet are also an important consideration. The best cabinets are made of high quality steel or wood.
When picking a cabinet, make sure it is made of durable and sturdy materials. You also want to make sure that the materials are aesthetically pleasing.
A cabinet made out of wood will blend in with the overall décor of the office. On the other hand, steel cabinets tend to look more modern and compact.
6. Warranty: The warranty period is an indication of the quality of an office file cabinet. The longer the warranty period, the better the quality of the cabinet.
A good cabinet should have a warranty period of at least 5 years. This will ensure that the cabinet lasts for a long time.
7. Price: Last but not least, the price of the cabinet is an important consideration. It is crucial to establish whether the price is reasonable for the quality of the cabinet.
An office file cabinet that falls within your budget is a good option. It is important to not compromise on the quality of the cabinet for a lower price.
What else you should know about office flat files
1. What is an office flat file?
An office flat file is a type of filing cabinet that is designed to hold documents that are flat, such as drawings or maps.
2. What are the benefits of using an office flat file?
An office flat file can help to keep a work area organized and tidy. It can also help to protect important documents and papers from being damaged or lost.
3. How do you store and organize files in an office flat file?
In an office flat file, files are typically stored in alphabetical order.
4. How do you access files in an office flat file?
Files in an office flat file are typically accessed by opening the drawer that corresponds to the file’s alpha-numeric code.
5. What are some tips for using an office flat file effectively?
Some tips for using an office flat file effectively are to keep it in a central location, to use it to store documents that are infrequently accessed, and to label the files clearly.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best office flat files. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best office flat files will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.