# How I will import Combined R1.fastq and R2.fastq files into QIIME2?

**URL:** https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-i-will-import-combined-r1-fastq-and-r2-fastq-files-into-qiime2/1382
**Category:** User Support
**Tags:** import
**Created:** [October 2, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-i-will-import-combined-r1-fastq-and-r2-fastq-files-into-qiime2/1382 "2017-10-02T20:38:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 15

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### Author: ![thermokarst](https://forum.qiime2.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@thermokarst](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/thermokarst)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-i-will-import-combined-r1-fastq-and-r2-fastq-files-into-qiime2/1382/15 "2017-10-03T14:20:28Z")

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Ah, I see! Your manifest file should be a file, not a directory. The contents of the file will be a CSV, with your sample IDs, paths to your fastq file, and the read direction. You will need to make the manifest file yourself --- QIIME 2 isn't able to infer most of that information on its own. Please review the section [Fastq Manifest Formats](https://docs.qiime2.org/2017.9/tutorials/importing/#fastq-manifest-formats) (which appears to be what you have printed out in your attached photo) - this provides some background and guidance on how to prepare your manifest file.

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