A system allows a user to drag content from one application and drop the content into a separate application. In response to the user interface functions of dragging and dropping the content, an importation system can create a data object. The object can have fields that are defined based on the application or data being dragged. The object fields may be automatically populated using a search function that searches for data in the application that may be highlighted during the drag function. The drop is intercepted the information is formatted for the receiving application. The information is formatted to meet the specifications of the receiving application to optimize the storage and use of the information. Thus, the system can translate the information from its native format into a format understandable by the receiving application.