How to Open a Steel Filing Cabinet

Grasp the handle of the drawer your wish to open with your right hand. Using the right hand to open the drawer puts your hand in a position to manipulate the drawer release, if one is present.

Note whether or not there is a metal tab protruding from the face of the drawer to the left of the drawer handle. It may appear to be a button, a knob or even rectangular in shape. This is the drawer release. While continuing to hold the handle with your right hand, move the ball of your right thumb to that tab and use your thumb to pull that tab toward the handle of the drawer.

Pull the handle of the filing cabinet toward you. If the drawer does not open, then pull the handle with your right hand while moving the tab toward the handle with your left hand. If the drawer still does not open, the file cabinet may be locked or the drawer release mechanism may be broken.