I just discovered something so simple and effective that my jaw literally dropped. To proof file names (or create a list for transmittal):
- Open your file browser (Finder or My Documents)
- Select all files (cmd + a)
- Copy using cmd + c
- Open a blank text file (Word will do)
- Paste using cmd + v
*For Windows users, use the ctrl key where you see cmd above.
Presto. Now you have access to all of your usual copy editing tools. Run your macros, your spellcheck, your consistency checker. Just remember to turn on Track Changes so you can transcribe those fixes to the file names themselves.
Make the spellchecker work on the final word by ditching all the file extensions (.jpg, .doc, etc.). Just search for the file extension (with preceding period) and replace with nothing.
Why this Helps
Some products I edit are electronic. The files I transmit are the final ones that will be burned to a disk (old-school) or uploaded to a content management system (CMS). File names are as important as chapter titles. My check caught some transposed letters (typos). Win!
