[Victor Smith]

How about using the following the command to convert the stata file to an older version, then go to File > Import Data > Stata in the SPSS file to import the "xxxxxx.dta" file?

saveold "xxxxxx.dta", version(9) // convert to a stata 9 data file

[wbuchanan]

Victor Smith
Saveold will only be useful if the file does not contain any strL types. Since the strL type was introduced later than version 9 this would potentially cause strL variables to either display only the first 244 characters or would omit the variable altogether.

[Otim John]

Ingebrigt Meisingset

Consider using savespss just as Richard Williams had suggested before, i tested it with STATA 14, and the conversion was even compatible with earlier versions of SPSS such as version 13. It works just fine!

Good to know about the R limitations. I rarely use notes or characteristics so I don't think it would matter much to me but it may for others. Based on its web page, it looks to me like savespss is the best free solution:

http://www.radyakin.org/transfer/savespss/savespss.htm

Of course, if you didn't have Stata you'd have to use something like one of the R freebies or break down and get Stat/Transfer.