# Opening a dataset from a local file

You will now import the file containing the customer data and create your first preparation.

After logging in Talend Data Preparation, you are directed to the Preparations view.

This view shows all your preparations, in other words datasets on which you have started performing operations. It is empty for now, but this is where your work on the customer data will be saved. In this view, you can also add new preparations and organize them into folders.

![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/Resources/images/tdp_cloud_homepage_2.png)

To import the customer file containing the raw data, proceed as follows:

## Before you begin

Download the following file: [customers.xlsx](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/8.0/Content/Resources/attachments/customers.xlsx).

## Procedure

1. From the left panel menu, select Datasets to open the list of datasets.
2. To import the [customers.xlsx](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/8.0/Content/Resources/attachments/customers.xlsx) dataset that you have previously downloaded, click the Add dataset button and browse your files to open it.
3. Click the Go back arrow on the top left to return to the dataset list.
4. From the left panel menu, select Preparations.
5. Click the Add preparation button.

   ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/Resources/images/gs-dp-add_preparation_window.png)
6. In the Preparation Name field, enter the name you want to give your preparation, customers\_preparation in this example.
7. Click Import file, and select the [customers.xlsx](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/8.0/Content/Resources/attachments/customers.xlsx) file.
8. Click Open.

## Results

Your dataset opens in the form of a preparation with an empty recipe. Your data has not been modified yet, but has been saved as a preparation on which you can start applying preparation steps.

Because you imported the [customers.xlsx](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/8.0/Content/Resources/attachments/customers.xlsx) dataset, and created the corresponding preparation using the Add preparation button, every change made to customers\_preparation will be automatically saved. As for the raw dataset you imported, it can be viewed in the Datasets view, and the data remains unchanged.

![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-preparation-getting-started/Resources/images/tdp_cloud_preparation_opened.png)