# File type preferences

Opera handles some file types itself, such as Web page documents. Others are passed on to plug-ins and external applications, or just saved on your computer. The File type preferences let you control Opera's behavior when it encounters different file types.

Opera comes with a host of pre-set, recommended file types and default actions. Sometimes you may want to change the default action, or add new file types which are not predefined.

### Adding a file type

- Click New MIMEType.
- Enter the MIME type you wish to set an action for, and make sure you know the exact MIME string involved.
- Enter the file extension associated with the MIME type -- you can specify multiple extensions separated by commas (for example "jpeg, jpg, jpe").
- Select what Opera should do when you click on links to files of this type.
- If the action needs you to specify the name of a save directory, helper application or plugin library, then please do so.
- Click Apply to add the new file type or Reset to cancel the action.

### Editing a file type

- Select the MIME type in the list you wish to edit.
- Make changes like when adding new file types.
- Click Apply to add the new file type or Reset to cancel the action.

Note: Tampering with MIME types may have unwanted side-effects, so be sure you know what you're doing.

### Deleting a file type

- Select the MIME type in the list you wish to delete.
- Click Delete MIMEType .
- Click Apply to confirm that you want to delete the type, or Reset to cancel the action.

Note: Deleting MIME types may have unwanted side-effects, so be sure you know what you're doing.

### Actions explained

- Open in browser - Opens the file using Opera itself. Opera can display text and several markup languages, images and video formats. Be sure that Opera can display a certain file type before choosing this setting.
- Ask for file name - Downloads and saves the file on your Zaurus, after you have provided a name. You do not need to provide an extension (".mp3", ".txt" etc.) for the file, Opera handles this automatically. If the file type has defined an automatic save directory, or is recognised as a subtype of a type that has an automatic save directory, the downloaded file will be placed in this directory. If you have a CompactFlash or SD card inserted you may choose to save to this by selecting its entry in the Storage: drop down box.
- Automatic download - Downloads and saves the file on your Zaurus, using the file's original name. If you specify a directory in the Save to directory: field the file will be saved to this directory. This directory will then also be used as the save directory for files saved by the Ask for file name action explained above, and for files of this type saved by selecting a save action from the menu.
- Open with other application - Uses another Zaurus application to view the file. You may choose which one by selecting its name in the Application: drop down box. There will rarely be more than one - if any - application that handles a given type, though.
  When downloading the file, Opera will normally store it to a hidden temporary location before starting up the external application. But if Opera is about to exceed its allocated space for such internal storage, you may have to store it to a named file in order to complete the download. In these cases Opera will prompt you for a file name before it finishes the download and starts up the external application.
- Open with plugin - Uses a plugin to view the file within opera. If you have more than one plugin available for the given MIME type, you may select which one to use, but normally this is not the case.

The OK button saves your settings and closes the security preferences dialog. The Apply button saves your settings. The Reset button undoes any changes you have made.

To go directly to the other preference settings you can click the < and > buttons.