What is the method of organizing files based on sorting by first name initial and last name?

The method of organizing files by sorting first by the initial of the first name and then by the last name is known as alphabetic filing. This system effectively organizes records in a manner that makes retrieval intuitive, as it aligns with the way names are generally understood and used in everyday contexts. Alphabetic filing considers the order of letters in the alphabet, which provides a standardized approach to classifying and locating documents.

This method is particularly useful in settings where personnel or patient records are managed, as it allows for quick access to information based on familiar criteria. By sorting names in this manner, staff can efficiently manage large volumes of documents while maintaining a clear and organized filing system.

Other filing systems, such as numeric, subject, or chronological filing, utilize different criteria for organization and would not apply in this situation where both first and last names are significant in determining the order. Numeric filing uses numbers to categorize files, subject filing is based on the topic of the documents, and chronological filing organizes documents by date. These systems serve different purposes and contexts but are distinct from the alphabetic filing method described in the question.