Export from stata to csv: problem with some columns

[Diego Malo]

Hello,

I have the following dataset:

* Example generated by -dataex-. To install: ssc install dataex
clear
input int ïiso str8 event_id_cnty str18 event_date int year str117 actor1 byte inter1 str44 country str7(latitude longitude) str470 source int fatalities
12 "ALG1"   "01-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;672" "2;789"  "Algeria Watch"                    5
12 "ALG2"   "02-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;133" "0;883"  "Algeria Watch"                    2
12 "ALG3"   "03-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "34;966" "-0;29"  "Algeria Watch"                    2
12 "ALG4"   "04-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   16
12 "ALG5"   "05-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;672" "2;789"  "Algeria Watch"                   18
12 "ALG7"   "06-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;514" "2;418"  "Algeria Watch"                   23
12 "ALG6"   "06-enero-1997"   1997 "Police Forces of Algeria (1994-1999)"   1 "Algeria" "36;803" "2;922"  "Algeria Watch"                    4
12 "ALG9"   "07-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                   20
12 "ALG8"   "07-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;971" "6;874"  "Algeria Watch"                    7
12 "ALG11"  "07-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;8"   "5;767"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG10"  "07-enero-1997"   1997 "Military Forces of Algeria (1994-1999)" 1 "Algeria" "36;672" "2;789"  "Algeria Watch"                    0
12 "ALG12"  "10-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;722" "3;118"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG13"  "11-enero-1997"   1997 "Military Forces of Algeria (1994-1999)" 1 "Algeria" "36;165" "1;334"  "Algeria Watch"                    4
12 "ALG14"  "11-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;599" "2;994"  "Algeria Watch"                    5
12 "ALG15"  "12-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;532" "2;992"  "Algeria Watch"                   14
12 "ALG17"  "13-enero-1997"   1997 "Military Forces of Algeria (1994-1999)" 1 "Algeria" "36;165" "1;334"  "Algeria Watch"                    4
12 "ALG16"  "13-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;589" "3;156"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG18"  "14-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;672" "2;789"  "Algeria Watch"                    2
12 "ALG19"  "15-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG20"  "16-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;574" "2;912"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG21"  "16-enero-1997"   1997 "Military Forces of Algeria (1994-1999)" 1 "Algeria" "36;785" "3;059"  "Algeria Watch"                    0
12 "ALG22"  "17-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;349" "2;755"  "Algeria Watch"                   43
12 "ALG23"  "19-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                   54
12 "ALG25"  "20-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;72"  "3;145"  "Algeria Watch"                    0
12 "ALG27"  "21-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;666" "3;096"  "Algeria Watch"                   30
12 "ALG26"  "21-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                   19
12 "ALG30"  "22-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;703" "3;024"  "Algeria Watch"                   14
12 "ALG28"  "22-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG29"  "22-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;265" "3;031"  "Algeria Watch"                   23
12 "ALG33"  "23-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;722" "3;118"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG32"  "23-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;662" "3;055"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG34"  "23-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;666" "3;096"  "Algeria Watch"                    5
12 "ALG35"  "24-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;135" "2;911"  "Algeria Watch"                   35
12 "ALG36"  "26-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;734" "3;085"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG37"  "26-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;606" "3;088"  "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG38"  "27-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;691" "-0;642" "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG39"  "28-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;555" "2;79"   "Algeria Watch"                    4
12 "ALG40"  "29-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;606" "3;088"  "Algeria Watch"                    8
12 "ALG41"  "30-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;691" "-0;642" "Algeria Watch"                    1
12 "ALG42"  "31-enero-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;267" "2;75"   "Algeria Watch"                   35
12 "ALG43"  "01-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;047" "5;132"  "Algeria Watch"                    7
12 "ALG44"  "03-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;267" "2;75"   "Algeria Watch"                    9
12 "ALG45"  "04-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;264" "1;968"  "Algeria Watch"                   28
12 "ALG46"  "10-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;487" "3;045"  "Algeria Watch"                   25
12 "ALG47"  "16-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   33
12 "ALG48"  "22-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;413" "3;31"   "Algeria Watch"                    6
12 "ALG49"  "23-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;889" "2;749"  "Algeria Watch"                   32
12 "ALG50"  "24-febrero-1997" 1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;135" "2;911"  "Algeria Watch"                    5
12 "ALG52"  "03-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;889" "2;749"  "Algeria Watch"                   50
12 "ALG51"  "03-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;057" "0;889"  "Algeria Watch"                   13
12 "ALG53"  "04-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;577" "3;009"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG54"  "05-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;532" "2;992"  "Algeria Watch"                   12
12 "ALG55"  "06-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;376" "1;313"  "Algeria Watch"                   80
12 "ALG56"  "11-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;574" "2;912"  "Algeria Watch"                   23
12 "ALG57"  "11-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;462" "2;742"  "Algeria Watch"                    7
12 "ALG58"  "13-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;577" "3;009"  "Algeria Watch"                   32
12 "ALG59"  "21-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;542" "3;081"  "Algeria Watch"                  120
12 "ALG60"  "22-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;265" "3;031"  "Algeria Watch"                   42
12 "ALG61"  "25-abril-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;662" "3;055"  "Algeria Watch"                   21
12 "ALG62"  "14-mayo-1997"    1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;577" "3;009"  "Algeria Watch"                   29
12 "ALG64"  "26-mayo-1997"    1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;59"  "2;447"  "Algeria Watch"                   13
12 "ALG63"  "26-mayo-1997"    1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;584" "3;258"  "Algeria Watch"                    8
12 "ALG65"  "29-mayo-1997"    1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;605" "2;191"  "Algeria Watch"                   14
12 "ALG66"  "02-junio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                   10
12 "ALG67"  "11-junio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;574" "2;912"  "Algeria Watch"                   12
12 "ALG68"  "14-junio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   16
12 "ALG70"  "24-junio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;536" "4;509"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG71"  "27-junio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;001" "2;903"  "Algeria Watch"                   22
12 "ALG72"  "02-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;096" "0;208"  "Algeria Watch"                    4
12 "ALG73"  "03-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "34;383" "3;65"   "Algeria Watch"                   18
12 "ALG74"  "06-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;267" "2;75"   "Algeria Watch"                   27
12 "ALG75"  "11-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;59"  "2;447"  "Algeria Watch"                   14
12 "ALG76"  "12-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;267" "2;75"   "Algeria Watch"                   33
12 "ALG77"  "14-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;6"   "4;35"   "Algeria Watch"                   12
12 "ALG78"  "18-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;643" "2;69"   "Algeria Watch"                   14
12 "ALG79"  "21-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;429" "2;881"  "Algeria Watch"                   21
12 "ALG80"  "22-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   11
12 "ALG81"  "24-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;514" "2;418"  "Algeria Watch"                   30
12 "ALG83"  "25-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;265" "3;031"  "Algeria Watch"                   13
12 "ALG82"  "25-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;265" "3;031"  "Algeria Watch"                   22
12 "ALG84"  "27-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Justice Commission for Algeria"  36
12 "ALG85"  "29-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;264" "1;968"  "Algeria Watch"                   39
12 "ALG87"  "30-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;233" "-1;533" "Algeria Watch"                   38
12 "ALG86"  "30-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;096" "0;208"  "Algeria Watch"                   22
12 "ALG88"  "31-julio-1997"   1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;59"  "2;447"  "Algeria Watch"                   20
12 "ALG89"  "03-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;469" "2;829"  "Algeria Watch"                   19
12 "ALG90"  "05-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;531" "3;127"  "Algeria Watch"                    9
12 "ALG91"  "07-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;267" "2;75"   "Algeria Watch"                   21
12 "ALG92"  "08-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;248" "0;921"  "Algeria Watch"                   11
12 "ALG93"  "12-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;264" "1;968"  "Algeria Watch"                   29
12 "ALG94"  "13-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;67"  "2;944"  "Algeria Watch"                   15
12 "ALG95"  "19-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "34;667" "3;25"   "Algeria Watch"                   20
12 "ALG96"  "20-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "32;217" "8;717"  "Algeria Watch"                   60
12 "ALG97"  "23-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;264" "1;968"  "Algeria Watch"                   24
12 "ALG98"  "24-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;265" "3;031"  "Algeria Watch"                   29
12 "ALG99"  "26-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;516" "1;914"  "Algeria Watch"                   64
12 "ALG100" "28-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                  300
12 "ALG101" "29-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;785" "3;059"  "Algeria Watch"                   13
12 "ALG102" "31-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "36;752" "3;042"  "Algeria Watch"                   19
12 "ALG103" "31-agosto-1997"  1997 "GIA: Armed Islamic Group"               2 "Algeria" "35;608" "1;811"  "Algeria Watch"                   32
end

I am trying to export it to csv with the following command:

export delimited using "C:\Users\ogeid\Desktop\Master Thesis UCLouvain\NEW\DEF.csv", replace

However, when I do it some problems appear. Column Latitude only maintain the first two numbers. And columns longitude, source and fatalities are completely missing. Any idea of why this happens? I am a bit loss.

Diego.

[Clyde Schechter]

I am unable to reproduce your problem with the data given. The export runs without error messages and the resulting .csv file appears to accurately reflect the full data.

I'm running this on version 17 MP4, under Windows 10 64-bit.

[Diego Malo]

Thank you for your answer Clyde Schechter. Is it should be problem of my Excel?

This is what I get when I do the export. No data appears in the last columns and the latitude column only obtain the first two numbers.

[Clyde Schechter]

Well, one way to find out would be to go back into Stata and try re-importing the .csv data set back into Stata. If it was exported correctly by Stata, the re-import will look OK in Stata and you know the problem is with Excel. If, on the other hand, the re-imported data is also missing those variables, then the problem is with Stata.

Now, I don't think it's a coincidence that the data is going missing following the ; character in the latitude variable. So, while you might want to take the matter up with tech support for Stata or Excel as the case may be, you may be able to get around this problem by replacing all the ;s with some other, more innocuous character and see if that works around the problem.

[William Lisowski]

First, I was able to export your data and import it into Excel with no problem, using Stata 17 and Excel 16.54 for Mac.

It is possible your problem is due to the use of a special character in the name of the first variable. You will note that the variable name

ïiso

appear in your Excel workbook somewhat differently. And in my workbook it appears in yet another version as

ïiso

Not sure what version of Stata you're using, but this sort of thing is typical of a whole range of problems I don't understand well involving character sets and character encoding and the like. It is possible that the csv file created by your version of Stata was not interpreted correctly by your version of Excel, especially if either version is somewhat old.

It might - perhaps - help if you were to change the name of the first variable to something without any special characters. Can't hurt to try, for sure.

[Diego Malo]

Thanks Clyde Schechter and William Lisowski for your answers.

I did what Clyde suggested to me, I changed the ; of variables latitude and longitude from my original dataset and when I export again, it works. Thank you very much because I were really confused about that fact.

Best,

Diego.