used when you tell someone something so that it will be known about and can be used in the future

For future reference, could you use the headed paper for any correspondence that leaves this office? 以后要记住，从这个办公室发出去的信都要用带有抬头的信纸。

For future reference, all staff are expected to be at their desks by nine o'clock at the latest.

For future reference, jeans are not considered acceptable office wear.

For future reference, that's the bin that we use for paper recycling.

in order to be used or looked at some time in the future

I filed the documents away for future reference. 我把文件归档，以备未来之用。

You'll probably want to keep some messages for future reference.

At the end of the project, the best accounts will be archived for future reference.

Keep that slip safe for future reference.

I keep important emails in separate folders for future reference.

Please retain it for future reference.

See also: future adjective