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Bug 743563 - On File Open: No Warning of Mismatched File Extension with File Format
On File Open: No Warning of Mismatched File Extension with File Format
Status: RESOLVED OBSOLETE
Product: Gnumeric
Classification: Applications
Component: Main System
1.12.x
Other Linux
: Normal enhancement
: ---
Assigned To: Jody Goldberg
Jody Goldberg
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
 
Reported: 2015-01-26 23:18 UTC by j3vasko
Modified: 2018-05-22 14:15 UTC
See Also:
GNOME target: ---
GNOME version: ---



Description j3vasko 2015-01-26 23:18:30 UTC
In the title bar of gnumeric it is confusing to see a file name that has the file extension xls even though the file format might be something totally different. ie) gnumeric

Consequently if sending an email, it will appear as though an xls file format is being sent although in actuality a gnumeric file format is being sent and the recipient will likely only see garbage.

Suggested warning message on file open:
The file extension on the file you are viewing does not match the file format. Please correct this discrepancy with one of the following:
* File >> Save As...
* Data >> Export Data
Comment 1 Morten Welinder 2015-01-27 03:19:17 UTC
We warn on mismatched save.  Why isn't that good enough?
Comment 2 Morten Welinder 2015-02-05 01:52:57 UTC
Closing this bug report as no further information has been provided. Please feel free to reopen this bug if you can provide the information asked for.
Thanks!
Comment 3 j3vasko 2015-02-10 20:04:08 UTC
Without triggering "Save As" Gnumeric does not warn on:
File >> Save

Nor does it warn on:
File >> Open

So as not to hide the underlying file format I recommend all 3 of these places check for the mismatched file.

This way you will be warned of the mismatch any time you:
* save a file
* open a file

As is you are only warned 1 time - the first time triggering:
File >> Save As

To Replicate:
1. Open a csv file in gnumeric
2. Save the file as gnumeric file type and keep the csv extension
3. Press Ctrl S or choose the "Save" option from the file menu (no warning)

Replicate Again With:
4. Close the file above.
5. Open the same file (no warning again)

Outcome:
Looks like you are working on a csv file even if you are not.

It becomes easy to confuse the end user unless every time a user does:
File >> Save As
Comment 4 Morten Welinder 2015-02-10 20:35:33 UTC
2. Save the file as gnumeric file type and keep the csv extension

That produces a warning (because Save is treated as Save-As).

So someone has actively chosen to enter into the situation after we
warned about it.  I really don't see why you want further warnings.
That will just teach people to dismiss warning dialogs without
reading them.
Comment 5 j3vasko 2015-02-11 05:37:23 UTC
When I receive a file from a person named "file.csv" open it with gnumeric then edit then save then send to another person, gnumeric will never check for the mismatched file extension anywhere in that entire process.

Consequently, if the person I sent the file to does not have gnumeric, all they will see is garbage.

On the other hand, if they do have gnumeric they will not be warned of the mismatch either.

If at least 1 warning can be guaranteed when opening a file received from a random location, it would eliminate the need for the end user to do File >> Save As every time just to check for the mismatch before forwarding the file!
Comment 6 GNOME Infrastructure Team 2018-05-22 14:15:50 UTC
-- GitLab Migration Automatic Message --

This bug has been migrated to GNOME's GitLab instance and has been closed from further activity.

You can subscribe and participate further through the new bug through this link to our GitLab instance: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnumeric/issues/271.