When importing data using the Import Wizard, you have the option of saving data import settings for later use. These saved import settings we refer to as a "filter." The advantages of creating a filter are clear: If you frequently import like-structured data files, saving your import settings can speed up your routine and ensure uniformity in file handling. For instance, creating a filter allows you to take advantage of simple drag-and-drop or File: Open file import handling.
Import filters can be saved for (a) both ASCII and binary data types, (b) when importing data with a User-Defined routine (Origin C code), or (c) when importing data from the Clipboard.
You have several options when deciding how and where to save your Import Wizard filters. Generally, filters are saved in one of two ways:
Note that import filters can be modified by selecting a particular filter in the Import Filters for Current Data Type drop-down list on the first (Source) page of the Import Wizard. Step through the remaining wizard pages, making adjustments as needed, then resave the import filter.
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There are three "standard" locations for saving an Origin Import Filter file (.OIF):
When importing by a method that calls for a filter, Origin first searches (1) the data file folder, then (2) the \Filters subfolder of the User Files folder, and finally, (3) the \Filters subfolder in the Origin program folder. Origin uses the first appropriate filter that is found. If two or more appropriate filters are found within a folder, Origin opens a dialog box that prompts you to pick a filter from a list of appropriate filters. The linkage between an import filter and your data file(s) is established on the Import Wizard's Save Filters page. You can use wild cards when specifying files to which your filter should apply. This allows you to link your filter to a broad range of files or to a very specific file or set of files.
For more information, see "Import Wizard, Save Filters Page" in the Origin Help file.
When you save your import settings to a Target Window template, you are storing your data-handling instructions with a particular Origin child window. The advantage here is primarily one of being able to save your primary data container -- the workbook -- with very specific and fairly complex instructions on data import handling.
Once you have defined your filter, you save the filter with the template using controls on the same Import Wizard page (the Save Filters page) on which you save .OIF files.
The need may arise to copy data from a web page and paste it into an Origin workbook. Typically, a simple copy and paste into Origin (or most other desktop applications) will not yield a satisfactory result. However, you can use the Import Wizard to preview and parse the Clipboard data so that it pastes into Origin properly.
Importing of Clipboard data and saving of filters is not substantially different from the situation where you are importing data from a file. Select Clipboard rather than File (radio buttons in the Data Source group) on the Source page (first page) of the Wizard. Then, step through the remaining pages of the Wizard, extracting header lines and variables as needed and parsing the columns of data and saving the filter, if so desired.
Note that when you copy data to the Clipboard, Origin actually creates a hidden file and imports it with the Import Wizard.
For information, see Using the Import Wizard to Import Clipboard Data in the previous topic.
When creating filter files for drag-and-drop file import, you can use controls on the Advanced Options page to specify different treatments for data files depending upon where they are dropped in the Origin workspace (e.g. "Plot data in graph layer", "Do not plot data in graph; Open files in worksheet/matrix", etc.).
Also, see the following sections and topics: