How to Organize Windows Files Automatically Using Excel

Organizing files on our computer is a task that may seem simple at first, but as time goes by, There and documents increase, it becomes almost essential to improve productivity and save time on searches. For those who work with large volumes of files in WindowsWhether for professional or personal reasons, finding a way to automate them using familiar tools like Excel can make all the difference. Today we'll explain in detail how to use Excel to automatically organize and create folders and files on your PC, as well as other methods to keep your digital environment as organized as you want.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the accumulation of documents, PDFs, images, or text files, and have thought about how you could systematize the management of all that material without investing hours in repetitive tasks, this article is for you. Here we show you, step by step, the best ways to Create folders and organize files in Windows automatically thanks to Excel and some small Tricks that will save you a lot of headaches. Plus, we'll cover additional tips to keep a clear list of your stockpiles handy—ideal for those who need to calculate prices, take inventory, or distribute tasks among teams.

Why is it necessary to automate file organization in Windows?

Digital clutter can become a serious problem if you manage large volumes of information. Clients, personal projects or team collaboration are often accompanied by hundreds or even thousands of files. that need to be identified, categorized, and stored in their proper place. Performing this process manually is inefficient and error-prone.

Furthermore, the files we receive often don't come with any kind of list or inventory, which makes management even more complicated. Having automatic tools to list, classify and create folders according to our criteria is a huge advantage., as it allows you to save time and dedicate yourself to truly important tasks.

Excel as a fundamental tool: much more than spreadsheets

Surely if you think about create a folder in windowsThe first thing that comes to mind is the familiar right-click and "New Folder" process. But can you imagine having to repeat this a hundred times? This is where Excel becomes your best ally, especially for automating repetitive tasks.

The most widely used spreadsheet in the world offers us the possibility of preparing listings and commands massively that can be easily transformed into executable instructions by Windows. Thanks to Excel's flexibility, you can create columns with folder names, group files according to custom criteria, and export folder creation commands with just a formula. All of this makes file management much more efficient and faster.

Create folders in bulk using Excel and BAT files

This trick is especially useful for those who want to impose a structured order in your files from scratch or reorganize existing foldersBy following a few simple steps, anyone, even those without advanced computer skills, can create multiple folders at once based on data entered into Excel.

• Open Excel and in the first column type all the folder names you want to create, one per cell.
• In the next column, enter the formula =CONCATENATE("MD ",A1) (or use the modern function =CONCAT("MD ",A1) depending on your version of Excel). This will generate an instruction that Windows recognizes for creating a folder, prepending the command 'MD' (Make Directory) to the name.
• Drag the formula down to apply it to the rest of the cells. This will give you the full set of commands you need.
• Copy the column with the generated commands and paste it into a plain text file using Notepad.
• When you save the file, make sure to use the extension . Beat and select 'All Files' as the file type. Give it whatever name you prefer, for example: create_folders.bat.
• Move that file to the location on your PC where you want all the created folders to appear.
• Double-click the BAT file and Windows will automatically execute all the commands, creating all the folders indicated in the Excel sheet in seconds.

Why does this method work? The trick lies in using the 'MD' command, which is the Windows console's internal instruction for generating directories. By grouping all the commands into a BAT file, you give Windows an exact list of folders to create in a single execution, saving dozens or hundreds of clicks and eliminating human error.

Advantages of automatically organizing folders from Excel

This method has several practical advantages for all types of users:

• Considerable time savings: You can create hundreds of folders in a few seconds.
• Full customization: You can adapt the list of names to any organizational structure you need (years, clients, projects).
• Easy repeat and update: If you need to renew it, delete and recreate folders, or update them, you just need to edit the list in Excel.
• Ideal for teams and businesses: When multiple users need to access the same folder structure, it's easy to distribute the BAT file and ensure everyone has the same organizational tree.

How to generate automatic file listings in Windows

In many professions, you not only need to create folders, but also have a complete list of all the files you have in a given folderThis list is often essential for creating budgets, coordinating tasks, or keeping track of deliveries and backups.

If you have to prepare quotes, distribute files among collaborators or simply want to know how many files you have and what type of documents predominateYou can get a list of your files without having to open and sort through them individually. Windows makes this easy thanks to a little-known option:

• Open the folder in question in File Explorer.
• Right-click on the column bar (where headings like 'Name', 'Date Modified', etc. appear).
• Select 'More…' to see all available columns.
• Check the 'Pages' option if you want to see the number of pages in each file. Become, PDF or similar.

At that point, a new column will appear in the browser showing the number of pages each document has, perfect for quick quotes without having to open each one individually.

How to automate the organization of icons and files in Windows

Windows has built-in features to automatically align and arrange icons, but this is limited to certain areas. Only on the desktop is it possible to natively access 'Align to Grid' or 'Auto Arrange'However, there is a way to enable these features in other folders using small scripts or by modifying the Windows registry.

If you want to experiment with these options, you can find BAT files and scripts that enable automatic organization in File ExplorerSimply download the corresponding package, create a restore point for safety, and run the BAT file as administrator. This will unlock new options in the "View" menu of system folders. If you want to revert these changes, simply run the BAT file again.

Always remember to create a backup before making any advanced system modifications to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Related article:

How to organize your folders and files automatically in Windows

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.