How to configure emacs drag and drop to open instead of append on osx

Question

How to configure emacs 23.1.1 on osx so that file drag and drop on the emacs window opens the file in a new buffer instead of appending it to the current buffer?

Answer 1

You can try:

(global-set-key [ns-drag-file] 'ns-find-file)

It works for me on Emacs 23.2.1

Answer 2

I use:

(if (fboundp 'ns-find-file)
    (global-set-key [ns-drag-file] 'ns-find-file))

This (which basically is the same as given in other answers) ensures that a new buffer is created. The if part ensures that the code will work even in a non-Mac environment.

(setq ns-pop-up-frames nil)

This ensures that the new buffer is displayed in an existing window, so that a new Emacs frame isn't opened. (I noticed in a comment that you had trouble with this.)

Answer 3

I use in my .emacs:

; Upon drag-and-drop: Find the file, w/shift insert filename; w/meta insert file contents
; note that the emacs window must be selected (CMD-TAB) for the modifiers to register
(define-key global-map [M-ns-drag-file] 'ns-insert-file)
(define-key global-map [S-ns-drag-file] 'ns-insert-filename)
(define-key global-map [ns-drag-file] 'ns-find-file-in-frame)

(defun ns-insert-filename ()
  "Insert contents of first element of `ns-input-file' at point."
  (interactive)
  (let ((f (pop ns-input-file)))
    (insert f))
  (if ns-input-file                     ; any more? Separate by " "
      (insert " ")))

(defun ns-find-file-in-frame ()
  "Do a `find-file' with the `ns-input-file' as argument; staying in frame."
  (interactive)
  (let ((ns-pop-up-frames nil))
    (ns-find-file)))