Best File Guides of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025

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File guides are essential tools for organizing and managing files in an office or home setting. They come in a variety of sizes and materials, including plastic and metal, and can be easily labeled for quick identification. These guides can be used to separate files by category, date, or alphabetically, making it easier to find and retrieve important documents. They are also a great way to keep files upright and prevent them from bending or falling over. Overall, file guides are a must-have for anyone looking to streamline their filing system and improve their overall organization.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Pendaflex A-Z Top Tab Recycled Gray Pressboard 1/5-Tab File Guides Cover #TOP 1
Pendaflex A-Z Top Tab Recycled Gray Pressboard 1/5-Tab File Guides
ftb score rating icon 9.9
EXTRIC A-Z File Dividers Cover #TOP 2
EXTRIC A-Z File Dividers
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Smead Recycled Top Tab File Guides Cover #TOP 3
Smead Recycled Top Tab File Guides
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 File Guides

#TOP 1

Pendaflex A-Z Top Tab Recycled Gray Pressboard 1/5-Tab File Guides

PN925
Gray
Pendaflex A-Z Top Tab Recycled Gray Pressboard 1/5-Tab File Guides Cover
Pendaflex A-Z Top Tab Recycled Gray Pressboard 1/5-Tab File Guides, Letter, 25/Set (PN925)

This set of Pendaflex file guides feature 1/5 cut tabs preprinted with A-Z, allowing you to alphabetize your files with ease. The guides are made of acid-free and 10% recycled fiber, ensuring the safety and sustainability of your documents.

What We Like
Sturdy and durable material
Clear and visible alphabet tabs
Space-efficient design
Great for filing organization
What We Don't Like
Tabs slightly too wide
Less sturdy than older versions
#TOP 2

EXTRIC A-Z File Dividers

810106963440
Multi-color
EXTRIC A-Z File Dividers Cover
Alphabetical File Organizer, 25 Alphabet Dividers with Tabs Letter Size File Cabinet Dividers, A-Z Manila Guides 5 Assorted Colors, 1/5 Cut Tab Positions Filing Cabinet and Desk Organization

The EXTRIC Alphabet Dividers are designed to help you organize your documents efficiently. Made from heavyweight manila stock, these dividers offer durability that stands up to frequent use. With 25 dividers ranging from A-Z, you can easily categorize your files, making it quick to locate what you need. The vibrant colors—red, orange, yellow, green, and blue—allow for color-coded filing, which adds an extra layer of organization. Additionally, the 1/5 cut tab positions ensure that you can identify each section at a glance, saving you time and keeping your workspace tidy.

What We Like
Fast shipping
Great customer service
Large letters available
Easy to find
What We Don't Like
Flimsy cardboard
Faint letters
#TOP 3

Smead Recycled Top Tab File Guides

50180
Manila
Smead Recycled Top Tab File Guides Cover
Smead Top Tab File Guides, 25 Count, Manila, 1/5-Cut Tabs, Letter Size (50180)

The Smead Recycled Top Tab File Guides feature alphabetic "signposts" that help you organize your file drawers into smaller groups for fast and easy access to your files. The durable multi-colored fused poly tabs are made from heavyweight 18 pt. stock for long-lasting use. With a set of 25, these file guides are perfect for reducing filing time and come with 10% recycled content and 10% post-consumer material.

What We Like
Perfect fit for file cabinets
Sturdy and colorful tabs
Helps maintain organization
Reusable and durable
What We Don't Like
Somewhat pricey
#TOP 4

Office Depots File Guides

NCC1373347
Manila
Office Depots File Guides Cover
Office Depots Manila A To Z File Guides, Letter Size, Manila, Pack Of 25, 144375OD

Office Depots File Guides are a great office supply for keeping your files organized. These manila file guides are designed for letter size documents, and come in a pack of 25. They are perfect for use in manila file folders, and help you keep your files organized in alphabetical order, making it easy to find what you need.

What We Like
Colorful labels
Sturdy construction
Great value
Multiple sets available
#TOP 5

Smead 50534 Recycled File Guides

50534
Smead 50534 Recycled File Guides Cover
Smead 50534 Recycled Tab File Guides Blank 1/3 Tab Pressboard Letter 50/Box

The Smead File Guides are a great organizational tool for your office or home. This set includes 50 durable guides made from heavyweight pressboard, ensuring they can withstand frequent use. The blank top tabs allow you to personalize your headings, making it easy to categorize your files to suit your needs. Plus, these guides are eco-friendly, as they are made from wood sourced from certified managed forests. You can choose between economical manila for lighter tasks or sturdy pressboard for more demanding applications, providing you with flexibility in your filing system.

What We Like
Durable material
Easy file organization
Improves file retrieval
Effective for file drawers
What We Don't Like
Not specified
#TOP 6

Smead Pressboard Filing Guides 50334

50334
Gray/Green
Letter
Smead Pressboard Filing Guides 50334 Cover
Smead Pressboard Guides, 1/3-Cut Tab (Blank), Letter Size, Gray/Green, 100 per Box (50334)

The Smead Filing Guides are designed to make organizing your files simpler and more efficient. With 100 heavyweight guides, you can easily find what you're looking for without the hassle of digging through drawers. The durable 25-point pressboard material ensures that these guides will withstand frequent use, keeping your files neatly organized. You can also add color-coded labels for easy categorization, helping you to quickly locate specific documents. These guides are perfect for both active and archived files, allowing you to slip them between sections for faster access.

What We Like
Affordable price
Durable and firm guides
Easy visibility of files
Replaceable inserts for captions
Great for organization
What We Don't Like
Not heavy duty
Floppy and less sturdy
#TOP 7

Smead Recycled End Tab Pressboard File Guides

61676
Gray/Green
Letter
Smead Recycled End Tab Pressboard File Guides Cover
Smead 100% Recycled End Tab Pressboard File Guides, Vertical Metal Tab (A-Z), Extra Wide Letter Size, Gray/Green, Set of 25 (61676)

Smead 100% Recycled End Tab Pressboard File Guides are a set of 25 extra wide letter size filing guides, made of heavy duty 25 point pressboard stock. The flat vertical metal 1/5-cut tab (A-Z) in top position keeps files in alphabetical order, which saves time spent searching for the right file. The sturdy pressboard guides are perfect for both active and archive files, and the product contains 100% recycled content, 30% of which is post-consumer material. These proudly made in the USA guides offer greater versatility in your filing system.

What We Like
Affordable price
Easy organization
Sturdy construction
Flexible labeling options
Good visibility above records
What We Don't Like
Missing some letters
Quality could be better
#TOP 8

Smead Pressboard Guides for Chronological Filing

50369
Grey
Letter
Smead Pressboard Guides for Chronological Filing Cover
Smead Pressboard Guides, 1/5-Cut Tab, Daily (1-31), Letter Size, Gray/Green, Set of 31 (50369)

The Smead Pressboard Guides set includes 31 letter size filing guides with 1/5-cut tab for 1-31 days in assorted positions. Made with heavy duty 25 point pressboard stock, these filing guides are durable and easy to find. They are perfect for active or archive files and are designed to keep everything in chronological order for heavy and frequent use. The Smead Pressboard Guides are proudly made in the USA with 100% recycled content and 30% post-consumer material that is SFI Sourcing Certified.

What We Like
Sturdy and strong material
Long-lasting durability
Standard letter size
Simple and effective design
Previous positive experiences
What We Don't Like
Poor shipping experience
Limited number options
#TOP 9

Staples A-Z File Guides

STAPLES
ST118273-CC
Light Gray
Staples A-Z File Guides Cover
Staples A-Z File Guides, 1/5 Cut, Letter Size, Light Gray, 25/Set (TR118273)

Keep your documents organized with the Staples A-Z File Guides. These file guides come in light gray pressboard and are designed for use with 8.5" x 11" sheets. The A-Z preprinted tabs make it easy to quickly locate the document you need.

What We Like
Sturdy pressboard materials
Perfect for organizing files
Quick delivery
Easy to read
What We Don't Like
One letter slightly faded
#TOP 10

Smead Pressboard Guides, 1/3-Cut Tab, Legal Size

52334
Gray/Green
Legal
Smead Pressboard Guides, 1/3-Cut Tab, Legal Size Cover
Smead Pressboard Guides, 1/3-Cut Tab (Blank), Legal Size, Gray/Green, 50 per Box (52334)

The Smead Pressboard Guides come in a box of 50 filing guides, with 1/3-cut blank tabs in assorted positions to make filing easier. The heavyweight 25 point pressboard stock ensures extra durability, reducing the time spent searching for files. These sturdy pressboard guides are perfect for active or archive files, and each guide has enough space for color-coded labels to create subdivisions or to separate papers into categories. The product is made in the USA, contains 100% recycled content, and is SFI Sourcing Certified.

What We Like
On-time delivery
Secure packaging
Reasonable price
Sturdy and functional
Wide tabs for labeling
What We Don't Like
Thinner card stock than expected
Height could be improved
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a file guide?

File guides are used to break large numbers of records into smaller groups so you can find them faster. Like signposts on a highway, guides stand out from the folders to signal major divisions in the filing system. A glance at the guides helps quickly identify the section where a particular folder is located.

2. What is knife edge file?

Knife files are tapered in width and thickness, but the knife edge has the same thickness from shoulder to point. ... Generally used to file in a slot or wedge shaped opening; curved knife edge allows for easily filing in restricted areas. Double cut on both sides, top edge is safe while knife edge is single cut.

Editor's Notes

During our file guide research, we found 24 file guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 18,717 customer reviews through our big data system to write the file guides list. We found that most customers choose file guides with an average price of $26.03.

The file guides are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of file guides, including Pendaflex, EXTRIC, SMEAD, Office Depot, STAPLES. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.

File Guides Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Pendaflex EXTRIC SMEAD Office Depot SMEAD SMEAD SMEAD SMEAD STAPLES SMEAD
Color Gray Multi-color Manila Manila - Gray/Green Gray/Green Grey Light Gray Gray/Green
Material Manila Manila Paper manila - 25 point pressboard 25 point pressboard 25 point pressboard pressboard 25 point pressboard
Sheet Size Letter Letter 8.5 x 11 Inches Letter - Letter Letter Letter Letter LEGAL SIZE
Hole Count - 3 - 3 - - 3 3 - 3
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
Where to Buy