diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
index dd3791cce0..321ada4efa 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def load_data(self, data, data_label=None, format=None, show_in_viewer=True,
 
         default_labels = {'mosviz-spec2d-parser': '2D Spectrum',
                           'specreduce-trace': 'Trace',
-                          'specviz-spectrum1d-parser': 'Spectrum 1D'}
+                          'specviz-spectrum1d-parser': 'Spectrum'}
         if data_label is None:
             data_label = default_labels.get(parser, 'Unknown')
         data_label = self.app.return_unique_name(data_label)
diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/tests/test_helper.py b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/tests/test_helper.py
index 3c0f7f5223..bd144f3e86 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/tests/test_helper.py
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/tests/test_helper.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def test_load_spectrum_list_no_labels(self):
         self.spec_app.load_data(self.spec_list)
         assert len(self.spec_app.app.data_collection) == 4
         for i in (1, 2, 3):
-            assert "specviz_data" in self.spec_app.app.data_collection[i].label
+            assert "Spectrum" in self.spec_app.app.data_collection[i].label
 
     def test_load_spectrum_list_with_labels(self):
         # now load three more spectra from a SpectrumList, with labels:
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ def test_load_2d_flux(specviz_helper):
     # 1D Spectrum1D objects to load in Specviz.
     spec = Spectrum1D(spectral_axis=np.linspace(4000, 6000, 10)*u.Angstrom,
                       flux=np.ones((4, 10))*u.Unit("1e-17 erg / (Angstrom cm2 s)"))
-    specviz_helper.load_data(spec, data_label="test")
+    specviz_helper.load_data(spec, data_label="test", load_as_list=True)
 
     assert len(specviz_helper.app.data_collection) == 4
     assert specviz_helper.app.data_collection[0].label == "test [0]"
diff --git a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
index 13ec295bbe..56b05468a4 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
@@ -101,15 +101,29 @@ def get_parser(obj, load_as_list=False):
     parser : str
         The parser for the data object
     """
+    if isinstance(obj, (SpectrumList, SpectrumCollection)):
+        return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
     if isinstance(obj, Trace):
         return 'specreduce-trace'
-    elif isinstance(obj, Spectrum1D):
+    if isinstance(obj, Spectrum1D):
         if obj.flux.ndim == 1:
             return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
         else:
             if load_as_list:
-                return 'specviz-spectrumlist-parser'
+                return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
             return 'mosviz-spec2d-parser'
+    if isinstance(obj, fits.HDUList):
+        columns = [c.name.lower() for hduitem in obj for c in getattr(hduitem, 'columns', [])]
+        if 'wavelength' in columns and 'flux' in columns:
+            return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("cannot find valid parser for HDUList")
+    if isinstance(obj, list):
+        parsers = [get_parser(o, load_as_list=load_as_list) for o in obj]
+        if len(set(parsers)) > 1:
+            raise ValueError("cannot find single parser for list of objects")
+        return parsers[0]
+
     _, config = get_valid_format(obj)
     parsers = {'specviz': 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser', 'specviz2d': 'mosviz-spec2d-parser'}
     return parsers.get(config)