Vertical File Index

OPENING THE VERTICAL FILE INDEX

The Vertical File Index is in Microsoft Excel format. If you are not in the Library or do not have Excel installed on your computer, you will need to get the free viewer available at microsoft.com. The instructions below are for the free Excel viewer; other programs may work differently.

If you're not familiar with the Vertical File Index, you may want to print these instructions before using it for the first time.

SEARCHING THE INDEX

• Once you have the Index open, click on any cell (for example, A1).
• Select View from the menu bar; then pick Autofilter.

You're now ready to filter (or sort) the index for items that may be of interest. Let's try an example using Annual Reports.

• Click on the small arrow under the heading File Folder (cell E1).
• Select Annual Reports from the drop-down list.
• All the other materials disappear so that you see only material on your area of interest.
• To see the full list of Vertical File items again, click the blue arrow and select All at the top of the menu.

If you're curious about the blue arrow, it's letting you know which column you've filtered.

LOCATING THE ITEM IN THE LIBRARY

Once you've located an item, simply make note of the File Folder heading and either the item number or title. Vertical File materials are filed alphabetically by file folder headings in the black file cabinets located on the north wall by the Reference section.

Students may check out two Vertical File items at a time for a period of two weeks. Overdue fines are $0.25 per day.