[Qgis-user] QGIS doesn’t search for shp vector layers

[Andre Joost]

Am 05.12.2017 um 06:05 schrieb Sarah:
> In the past, when I went to open a vector layer, QGISautomatically
> found shape files. Then I changed the option to MapInfo to opensome
> MapInfo files. Now the browse dialogue doesn’t give me an option to
> find .shpfiles. If I navigate to a folder including shape files, the
> open vector browse boxshows it as empty. I can manually find the
> shape files by typing *.shp into thedialogue box (open vector\browse)
> and then it shows them, but next time I go toopen another vector
> layer it reverts to the last file format I set (MapInfo)and I have to
> keep typing in *.shp to get it to hunt for shape files. Thedialogue
> box doesn’t have an option to search for all file formats nor
> anoption to go back to searching for ESRI shape files. How can I make
> it go backto the default behaviour where it automatically found .shp
> files without mehaving to type in *.shp every time I want to find a
> shape file? I am using QGIS2.18.2.
>

 From the top menu, select Layer -> Add Layer -> Add Vector Layer, then 
click on Browse.

At the bottom of the form, you should have an input box labelled file 
name, and right to it a filter dropdown box. The long list starts with 
"All files (*.*)", "ESRI Shapefiles" some rows below, and ends with 
"X-Plane/Flightgear". Unfortunately, there is no vertical scroll bar (at 
least on Windows). You need a mouse wheel to see the filetypes not 
visible. Without a mouse wheel you have to use cursor up and down to see 
the rest of the list.

Once you have selected "ESRI Shapefile", it will be remembered for the 
next use of that form. Same as you have chosen Mapinfo.

HTH,
André Joost