local directory not working

[Paula de Souza Leao Spinola]

Hello all, I created a local directory and when I call the dataset (straight after defining the local directory) I get this strange message.

. local BIS "C:\Users\Paula\Dropbox\Pesquisa\Projects\WB_Guinea_Bissau\2_Dados\Bases_brutas\BB"

. use ${BIS}/IFTS_GB, clear
file /IFTS_GB.dta not found
r(601);

end of do-file

r(601);

.

But if I call the dataset including the very same directory it works fine.

. use "C:\Users\Paula\Dropbox\Pesquisa\Projects\WB_Guinea_Bissau\2_Dados\Bases_brutas\BB\IFTS_GB", clear

.
end of do-file

.

Does anyone know what is the problem with my local directory?

Many thanks!

[Nick Cox]

The syntax $foo is for including the contents of a global macro foo in your commands.

This should work for you:

local BIS "C:\Users\Paula\Dropbox\Pesquisa\Projects\WB_Guinea_Bissau\2_Dados\Bases_brutas\BB"  

use `BIS'/IFTS_GB, clear

See

help macro

for more.