Feature Request: Extend Import Functionality to Support Additional Spreadsheet Formats (e.g. ODS)

[ThomasSanson]

Describe the problem to be solved

Grist currently allows users to import files to either create a new document or add data to an existing document. The supported file formats include Excel, CSV, JSON, tab‐separated files, and files from Google Drive. For instance, to create a new document, users are instructed to click the “Ajouter Nouveau” button on the homepage and select “Importer un document”. Similarly, to add data to an existing document, the user may click “Ajouter Nouveau” and then “Importer depuis un fichier”, with the option in the preview dialogue to choose an existing Grist table as the destination. Users can also import these formats from a URL by selecting “Importer depuis une URL”.

However, there remains a notable omission for those who utilise open source office suites such as LibreOffice, as the ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) format is not currently supported. This gap forces users to convert their data into one of the supported formats, which is both inconvenient and potentially error‐prone.

Describe the solution you would like

I propose that the import functionality be extended to support the ODS format. The enhancement should allow ODS files to be imported seamlessly in the same manner as the currently supported formats—whether when creating a new Grist document or when adding data to an existing one. Ideally, the user experience should mirror the present process, permitting imports both from local files and via URL. This addition would not only improve the accessibility of Grist for users of open source office suites but also further broaden its versatility and appeal.

Thank you for considering this feature request.