2.5 FAQ-412 How do I customize Drag and Drop for various import file types?

Last Update: 2/14/2024


When you Drag&Drop a file onto a new Origin workbook, handling of data files follows this logic:

  1. If import dialog settings have been saved to the sheet, these settings handle import.
  2. If no import dialog settings are saved to the sheet, Origin looks to the data folder for a matching Origin Import Filter (*.oif). If found, the import filter handles import.
  3. If there is no import filter in the data folder, Origin checks the User Files\Filters folder for a matching import filter. If a USER filter exists and the Support Drag&Drop filter box is checked in Filter Manager, then this filter handles import.
  4. If no matching filter is found in User Files\Filters, then Origin checks to see whether there is an installed Data Connector that matches the file type. If a matching Data Connector is found, the Data Connector handles import.
  5. If no matching Data Connector exists, Origin checks the <Program Folder>\Filters folder for a filter. If a filter exists and the System Support Drag&Drop filter box is checked in Import Filters Manager, the System filter is used.
  6. If the previous steps fail, Origin opens an attention box asking if you want to open the Import Wizard to import the file.

If you are happy with your Origin import filter (*.oif) but like some of the advantages of using a Data Connector, you can combine the two by choosing Data: Connect to File: Import Filter. For Drag&Drop operations, try putting your *.oif file into your data folder.

If you prefer the old Drag&Drop behavior without the Data Connector, please modify the System Variable @DDC for the file type you want to exclude from Data Connectors. For example, set @DDC=2 to disable the Excel Connector for .xls(x) files when importing via Drag&Drop.

Please see the System Variable page for instructions on setting a System Variable and the full list of options for @DDC.

Keywords:import filter, *.oif, import settings, customize import, Data Connector, connect
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