Files - any way to set expiration date?

[Steve]

When creating a new file, is there any way to set some sort of
reminder date to delete it? There are dozens of files that I'll need
only temporarily, or that contain info which will be outdated at some
point. I'd like to have some method of setting a date to review the
files before deletion, maybe with a popup reminder. Any way to
accomplish this? Thanks!

 

[Chris Schatte]

Steve,
If using Outlook Calendar:
Create an entry named "temporary files" or "(subject) temporary file" and you have your own personal "popup" every time you open Outlook, with a time stamp start date and the ability to edit to your preference...

Chris Schatte

 

[Read]

I just name mine tmp-something.doc

 

[Character]

When creating a new file, is there any way to set some sort of
reminder date to delete it? There are dozens of files that I'll need
only temporarily, or that contain info which will be outdated at some
point. I'd like to have some method of setting a date to review the
files before deletion, maybe with a popup reminder. Any way to
accomplish this? Thanks!

This is something that was introduced 41 years ago with JCL (Job Control
Language) for IBM's new IBSYS operating system. When a file was
created, you could specify its retention in a number of ways, including
a length of time and a number of generations (like stack of similarly
named files; when the stack is full creating a new one pushing the
earliest one out). Later it even included a semblance of version control.

To answer your question, the answer for PC environments is no.
Well, that's only true for you and me. Software vendors have been known
to incorporate code that deactivates itself after a period of time or on
a given date. (And could delete "expired" files)

Yes, it sure would be nice to have that facility today!

- Character

 

[Mark Burch]

When creating a new file, is there any way to set some sort of
reminder date to delete it? There are dozens of files that I'll need
only temporarily, or that contain info which will be outdated at some
point. I'd like to have some method of setting a date to review the
files before deletion, maybe with a popup reminder. Any way to
accomplish this? Thanks!

I haven't done this myself, but how about using one of the property fields
of the document, such as category or keywords or perhaps one of the custom
properties. You could type the expiry date into this field. Then, from time
to time, you'd just need to find those documents whose expiry date had
passed. This can be done by using Word's Find file facility (go to File
Open, click on Tools, Find, and you can search for documents based on their
property fields). It's not quite the popup that you would like but it should
be quite easy to implement.

Mark Burch

 

[Steve]

I haven't done this myself, but how about using one of the property fields
of the document, such as category or keywords or perhaps one of the custom
properties. You could type the expiry date into this field. Then, from time
to time, you'd just need to find those documents whose expiry date had
passed. This can be done by using Word's Find file facility (go to File
Open, click on Tools, Find, and you can search for documents based on their
property fields). It's not quite the popup that you would like but it should
be quite easy to implement.

Thanks Mark, I'll give it a shot!

....Steve