Details

• Import handles a large number of formats, each typically with many different possible elements. The possible formats are given in the list $ImportFormats, and in the guide "Listing of All Formats".
• The format of a file is by default deduced from the file extension in its name, or by FileFormat from its contents.
• In Import[source,…], source can be any of the following:
• File["file"] or "file"file name, searched for on $Path URL["url"] or "url"HTTP, HTTPS or FTP URL "!prog"import data from a pipe CloudObject[…]a cloud object LocalObject[…]a local object
• Import elements determine which aspects of a file should be imported, and how they should be returned to the Wolfram Language.
• The following elements specifications can be given:
• elema single element {{elem₁,elem₂,…}}multiple elements {elem₁,sublelem₁,subelem₂,…}subelements of subelements of elem₁
• When specifying the format, the following elements specifications can be given:
• {"format",elem}a single element {"format",{elem₁,elem₂,…}}multiple elements {"format",elem₁,sublelem₁,subelem₂,…}subelements of subelements of elem₁
• Elements supported by all formats are:
• "Elements"a list of names of elements "Rules"rules for the values of all elements "Options"rules for options, settings, metainformation, etc.
• If no element specification is given, every format defaults to the most suitable element. For instance, JPEG files are imported as Image objects by default.
• Use Import[source,…,options] to provide format-specific options that control the behavior of Import.
• By default, local files are searched for on $Path. Use the option Path->path to specify other directories.
• When importing a remote file, Import uses proxy and related settings specified in Preferences settings in the notebook front end or in your operating system environment.
• Import generates a dialog if interactive authentication is required.
• Import[url] accepts the following URLDownload options:
• AuthenticationNoneauthentication information to send CookieFunctionAutomaticfunction to apply to each cookie received ConnectionSettingsAutomaticspeed and other settings for the connection FollowRedirectsTruewhether to follow HTTP redirects InteractiveTruewhether to allow interactive authentication dialogs TimeConstraintInfinitytime to wait for a response VerifySecurityCertificatesTruewhether to verify SSL security certificates
• New formats can be manually registered in the Wolfram Language. See "Developing an Import Converter".

Examples

Basic Examples  (3)

Import a "GIF" file:

Find what elements are available to import:

Import a specific element of the file:

Scope  (3)

Import the complete array of data:

Extract information for one part of the array:

Extract multiple elements:

Import from a URL:

Generalizations & Extensions  (2)

Local objects can be used with Export and Import to store data persistently:

Cloud objects can be used with Export and Import to store data persistently:

Options  (2)

"Password"  (1)

Specify the password that should be sent to the server:

"Username"  (1)

Specify the username that should be sent to the server: