Do papers go front-to-back or side-to-side in a lateral filing cabinet?

In a lateral filing cabinet, papers are filed side-to-side (parallel to the long dimension of the drawer, which faces you). This is the opposite of vertical file cabinets, where papers are filed front-to-back. Lateral filing cabinet drawers are wide (30 to 42 inches) and relatively shallow (18 to 20 inches deep). Hanging folders hang on rails that run left to right across the drawer width. This orientation lets you see all folder tabs at once when looking into the drawer — a clear visibility advantage over vertical cabinets where you're looking down a long row of folders. Some laterals can also be fitted with front-to-back rails for different filing configurations. FindOfficeFurniture.com — call 888-719-4960.