# Importing Data

**Importing is how you bring data into OrcaSheets so you can filter, pivot, chart, and build Dashboards. During import, OrcaSheets optimises your file for fast analysis.**

![Project onboarding and data import flow](/images/project_onboarding.gif)

## Supported file formats

- CSV, TSV
- Excel (XLS, XLSX)
- Parquet
- GZ (compressed files)

## Step-by-step: import a file

1. **Open** a Project: create a new one, or open an existing one.
2. **Add** a Sheet: click **Add Sheet**, or import during Project creation.
3. **Select** your file(s): you can pick one file or multiple at once.
4. **Review** the preview:
   - Confirm headers are correct.
   - Confirm types look correct (dates / numbers / text).
   - Check the row and column summary so you know what's coming in.
5. **Continue** to load and optimise: click **Continue** and wait for optimisation to finish.

## Common variations

- **Drag and drop**: drop files onto the app window to import them instantly.
- **Multiple files at once**: each file typically becomes its own Sheet.
- **External systems**: use [Connectors](/docs/connectors) (premium) to pull data directly from databases, APIs, and SaaS tools without exporting CSVs.

## Notes

- Large files may take a moment to optimise. Watch the progress indicator.
- If types look wrong, re-import and adjust type detection or overrides.

## Related pages

- [Filtering Data](/docs/filtering-data)
- [Pivot Tables](/docs/pivot-tables)
- [Creating Visualizations](/docs/creating-visualizations)
- [Building Dashboards](/docs/building-dashboards)
- [Data Import Errors](/docs/data-import-errors)