# Importing External Data

Description | Usage | Importing OpenDocument Spreadsheets | Importing Text Files | See Also

## Description

Draco can import data from either text sources or OpenDocument spreadsheets. The import feature for OpenDocument spreadsheets allows the user to select the preferred worksheet from which to extract data. The text import feature allows delimited or formatted files to be loaded in as data.

## Usage

The data import feature is found in the File menu. Two options appear in the submenu.
The text import submenu contains the option to import either time-series or panel data onto the main worksheet.
Each import feature is discussed further below.

## Importing OpenDocument Spreadsheets

Draco can import numeric data from OpenDocument-compliant spreadsheets with ease. To import an OpenDocument spreadsehhet, select the menu option shown in the section above. When the file dialog opens, select the spreadsheet file containing the data you wish to import. After selecting the file, the import dialog appears:
First, select the worksheet within the OpenDocument spreadsheet which contains the numeric data of interest. The first text entry allows for the specification of the row within the spreadsheet from which the vairable names should be determined. If no appropriate row exists on the worksheet, enter "0." The next text entry specifies the row on which numeric data begins. If variable names or further descriptive information is present, this row value will change. The next text entry can be used to specify the final row, although an entry here is not necessary if all data should be imported. Finally the column specification text box is not enabled, although it may be enabled in future software versions.
When importing data into Draco from an OpenDocument spreadsheet, remember to save any earlier work in the Draco worksheet beforehand. The imported data will overwrite all data present in the Draco data window in the current worksheet main window.

## Importing Text Files

Draco also has the ability to import numeric data from delimited text files. Data from text files may be imported as either simple panel data or time series data. Depending on the type of data being imported, the appropriate New Worksheet dialog will appear initially. When importing time series data, the type of time unit and the duration of the series must be initially specified.

## See Also

Exporting Data

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