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Interactive tool

Data room index template

Pick your deal type and get a recommended virtual data room folder structure. This data room index template gives you a professional starting point you can download as a CSV or copy to your clipboard, then tailor to your transaction.

Deal type

M&A / sell-side data room index

9 top-level folders, 49 sub-folders

  1. 1. Corporate & organisation
    1. 1.1 Certificate of incorporation
    2. 1.2 Articles & bylaws
    3. 1.3 Cap table & shareholder register
    4. 1.4 Board & shareholder minutes
    5. 1.5 Group structure chart
    6. 1.6 Statutory registers
  2. 2. Financial
    1. 2.1 Audited financial statements
    2. 2.2 Management accounts
    3. 2.3 Budgets & forecasts
    4. 2.4 Debt & financing agreements
    5. 2.5 Working capital analysis
    6. 2.6 Tax returns & filings
  3. 3. Legal & contracts
    1. 3.1 Material contracts
    2. 3.2 Litigation & disputes
    3. 3.3 Insurance policies
    4. 3.4 Powers of attorney
    5. 3.5 Regulatory licences
    6. 3.6 Corporate governance policies
  4. 4. Commercial
    1. 4.1 Business plan
    2. 4.2 Top customer contracts
    3. 4.3 Supplier agreements
    4. 4.4 Sales pipeline
    5. 4.5 Marketing & pricing
    6. 4.6 Market & competitor analysis
  5. 5. Products & technology
    1. 5.1 Product roadmap
    2. 5.2 IT systems overview
    3. 5.3 Software licences
    4. 5.4 Data & cybersecurity
    5. 5.5 Technical documentation
  6. 6. Intellectual property
    1. 6.1 Patents & applications
    2. 6.2 Trademarks
    3. 6.3 Domain names
    4. 6.4 IP assignments
    5. 6.5 Open-source usage
  7. 7. Human resources
    1. 7.1 Org chart & headcount
    2. 7.2 Employment agreements
    3. 7.3 Compensation & benefits
    4. 7.4 Key employee & incentive plans
    5. 7.5 HR policies
    6. 7.6 Contractor agreements
  8. 8. Real estate & assets
    1. 8.1 Property leases
    2. 8.2 Owned property titles
    3. 8.3 Fixed asset register
    4. 8.4 Equipment & vehicles
  9. 9. Regulatory & compliance
    1. 9.1 Permits & licences
    2. 9.2 Data protection & privacy
    3. 9.3 Health & safety
    4. 9.4 Anti-bribery & AML
    5. 9.5 Environmental compliance

A starting point, not legal advice. Every deal has its own requirements, so add, remove or rename folders to fit your transaction and your advisers guidance.

Data room index template: frequently asked questions

What is a data room index template?

A data room index template is a ready-made folder and file structure for a virtual data room. It sets out the top-level folders and sub-folders you need to organise, so you can drop documents into a logical order that reviewers expect instead of building the structure from scratch.

How do I use this data room index template?

Pick your deal type above and the tool builds a recommended folder structure. Download it as a CSV to import into a spreadsheet or many data room platforms, or copy it to your clipboard. Then adjust the folders to fit your transaction, because every deal has its own specifics.

Is the folder structure the same for every deal?

No. The core folders (corporate, financial, legal) recur, but the emphasis shifts. A fundraising round leans on traction and the pitch, private equity weights financials and quality of earnings, and a real estate deal centres on title, leases and building surveys. Choose the deal type that matches yours for the closest starting point.

Can I import this into a virtual data room?

Many virtual data rooms let you create a folder structure by importing a CSV or by bulk-creating folders. Download the CSV here, then check your provider documentation for the exact import format. Our comparison covers which providers make structure setup easiest.