Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of chronological filing?

Chronological filing is a system where documents are arranged based on the dates they were created or received. This filing method is primarily focused on the timeline of events, making it valuable for tracking actions over time, as it allows users to see the progression of activities in sequential order.

Given this understanding, the organizing principle of chronological filing clearly does not rely on subjects or topics for organization; instead, it emphasizes the temporal aspect. Characteristics A, B, and D accurately depict the functionality of chronological filing—organizing documents by date, aiding in tracking actions over time, and arranging items in either ascending or descending order based on their dates. Therefore, the statement regarding reliance on subjects or topics is indeed the one that stands out as not characteristic of chronological filing, solidifying its correctness.