SPSS Setup file

[Euslaner]

I have downloaded several
spss setup files. Is there a straightforward way to open them in
Stata? The manual doesn't give me answer.

Ric Uslaner





stata? I tried both Stat

[Bruce Weaver]

Please clarify what type of file you are talking about. What is the file name, and more importantly, what is the file extension? E.g., is it .exe, .sps, or something else?

[Euslaner]

It is .sps with a do fi;e but I don't hvw SPSS.

Ric

[Bruce Weaver]

Thanks for clarifying. Files with .sps as the extension are SPSS syntax files. They are plain text, so you can open them with any text editor. I don't understand why you want to open them with Stata's DO file editor rather than with Notepad or some other text editor, but here is one way to do it:

• File > Open > Open (from within the DO file editor)
• Browse to the folder you want
• Enter *.sps in the File name box at the bottom
• Select the desired file and click Open

I hope this helps.

[Euslaner]

Thanks but when I type:


. use "P:\Data\09126-0001-Setup.sps"

I get;

file P:\Data\09126-0001-Setup.sps not Stata format
r(610);

Any help would be appreciated.

Ric Uslaner

[Nick Cox]

The command use will only work with Stata datasets in Stata .dta format. #5 is not at all what Bruce Weaver was suggesting. You need to employ any way to read a text file, but the use command is not one.

[David Radwin]

If you don't have a genuine Stata do-file, you might try opening and labeling the data in GNU PSPP, a free alternative to SPSS, then saving the labeled data in .sav format and opening it in Stata.

[Bruce Weaver]

Try this:

doedit "P:\Data\09126-0001-Setup.sps"