How can I import a fixed format sequential ASCII data file into StatPac?
ANSWER – Data files already in sequential ASCII fixed format do not usually need any conversion to be used by StatPac. The only requirement is that they have a .dat extension. First, design a codebook with StatPac so that the field widths for each variable are exactly the same as the data file you will be using. Then copy the data file to the same folder as the codebook and rename it so it has the same prefix as the codebook and a .dat extension. That’s all there is to it. As a final check, you can run the utility program to check a codebook and data file for errors (Analysis, Utilities, Codebook, Check Codebook and Data). If no errors are reported, the length of each data record matches the length defined by the codebook, and you can be assured that the codebook design and data file will interface properly. If a data file is in any format other than fixed format sequential ASCII, you must use the import program to import the file. The import program will create a new data file and new
