Issue 71110

Summary:	Need "import" option under "file" menu
Product:	Calc	Reporter:	kieser <brad>
Component:	ui	Assignee:	AOO issues mailing list <issues>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---	QA Contact:
Severity:	Trivial
Priority:	P3	CC:	elish, issues
Version:	OOo 2.0.4
Target Milestone:	---
Hardware:	All
OS:	All
Issue Type:	ENHANCEMENT	Latest Confirmation in:	4.1.0-dev
Developer Difficulty:	---

Description kieser 2006-11-02 11:56:46 UTC

I support OpenOffice users in the hope that it will help drive OpenOffice
adoption. I have become aware that many people have problems with importing
files, especially CSV.

First of all, this is what users who call me expect to go to when they want to
open a CSV file. They are surprised when I tell them "it's automatic, just file
file/open".

Secondly, and more seriously, many of these files either don't have the .csv
extension or have some other extension. The USER knows that it's a csv file, but
OO doesn't.

This is causing a lot of anger and frustration. The most common response is "oh,
how rubbish, OpenOffice cannot import CSV files". So many calls that I have
start off with that. The conversation goes something like: 
"Is there a workaround to the CSV import problem?"
"What problem is that?"
(perplexed) "Er... OpenOffice cannot import CSV files?"
"Try file/open"
"I did, it doesn't work. OpenOffice has a long way to catch up to Microsoft Office".
"Does your file have a .csv extension?"
"No, why should it? I know that it's a csv file".

You get the picture.

It would be a huge help and a minor change for us to add an explicit import
option that allows users to tell OO what the file format is!

Comment 1 petr_p 2008-05-07 15:35:45 UTC

I have the same issue when opening XHTML file with "xhtml" extension. There is
no way how to open the file in OOo. Renaming the file just for satisfying one
application is unaccaptible.

I don't think it's necessary to add new Import option. The whole problem is OOo
decides according file name extension and user can't select proper file format
freely.

I suggest changing semantic of File/Open/File Type menu. Instead of directory
listing filter it should specify import filter for selected file.

Comment 2 oc 2008-07-15 10:44:56 UTC

reassigning features and enhancements to user requirements@openoffice.org which
will be the default owner for those tasks (was introduced some time ago)

Comment 3 Edwin Sharp 2013-12-15 17:37:21 UTC

A csv file without extension brings ASCII Filter Options dialog window and opens in Writer.
Same file with csv extension restored brings Text Import dialog window and opens in Calc.