An office filing cabinet is a piece of furniture typically used in an office setting for the storage of documents, files, and other paperwork. They come in various sizes and styles, but most have multiple drawers in which files can be organized and stored securely. Filing cabinets are designed to help keep documents in order, prevent loss, and make it easier to retrieve information when needed.
There are several types of filing cabinets, such as:
Vertical Filing Cabinets
These are the most common type of file cabinet, with drawers that extend from the short side of the cabinet. They are often tall and narrow.
Lateral Filing Cabinets
These cabinets have drawers that extend from the long side, making the drawers wider than those of vertical cabinets. They're often used when space is limited as they can fit more efficiently against walls.
Mobile Filing Cabinets
These are smaller cabinets on wheels, making them easy to move around.
Flat File Storage
Used for larger documents like maps, blueprints, or art prints, these cabinets have wide, shallow drawers.
Fireproof Filing Cabinets
These are specially designed to protect contents from fire damage.
Most filing cabinets have a locking mechanism to protect sensitive or confidential documents. They are usually made from metal or wood, with metal being more common in office settings due to its durability. In many cases, folders or hanging files are used within the drawers to help organize and separate documents.
