waxcylinder » Fundamentally Audacity does not “open” an audio file like a WAV or MP3 with the File > Open command.
… And this is precisely why the Manual says (and has long said): “to open a new audio file you should type File > Import > Audio”
SecretCode » … File > Import > Audio will import the selected audio file into the current project.
Agree, and agree, and add this:
For most of my life I have used Audacity as a “file editor”, which of course opened a new project, then let me edit the file, and then of course prompted me to save the project file (“Quit pestering me” is dealt exhaustively in a different thread)
This afternoon I am back to editing a couple of dozen files, general tidy-up, and I find another advantage of Import:
Once my file=track=clip is tidied up, the export command (File, Export, …) has retained the original name (used in File Import) and loaded my Export dialogue with that name, which I find not only handy, but a great safeguard. With dozens of existing files in he folder, it would be easy for me to "yes, Overwrite!) the wrong file.
I think, too, that this clears up an earlier plaint of mine. I suspect that back then I was starting a new Project by double-clicking on the audio file (WAV or MP3) in a folder.
Thanks
Chris