How to Upload a File to Spss
Data stored in text files have extensions such as*.txt,*.dat, or*.csv. These types of data files are uncomplicated to create and are not tied to a proprietary software, and so they are a popular choice for information files. While many computers volition automatically open these file types in a spreadsheet software similar Microsoft Excel, they can be opened and edited using any text editor programme.
Importing text files into SPSS is slightly different than importing data in Excel spreadsheets. There are several different patterns used to delineate the start and end of a detail variable, and SPSS must know what pattern to follow in guild to read the data correctly.
In general, there are two patterns that SPSS recognizes:
Delimited data: Each observation is delimited, or separated, by a particular character. Common characters used for delimiters include commas, tabs, and whitespace.
ID,Historic period,Gender A001,41,F A009,36,M C321,27,F Fixed-width information: Rather than using delimiters betwixt observations, the values of the variables are aligned vertically, so that a given variable e'er begins in a certain cavalcade position. In the below example, ID ever begins in column 1; Age always begins in column 10; and Gender always begins in cavalcade xvi.
ID Age Gender A001R 41 F Z009 36 M C321BC 27 F Files with the extension *.txt are called text files. This file type tin can contain fixed-width or delimited data. A common variation for *.txt files is tab-delimited data; that is, each ascertainment is separated by a tab (created using the Tab key on the keyboard). Even so, *.txt files do not always use tabs as delimiters -- in fact, *.txt files can utilise any character as a delimiter, including commas.
Files with the extension *.csv are calledcomma-delimited files; in this type of file, the observations are delimited past a comma. Traditionally, the start row of a CSV file contains the variable names (separated past a comma), and the showtime row of data begins on the second line. Missing values are denoted using adjacent delimiters.
The process for importing any of these file types is virtually identical in SPSS, and so here, we will demonstrate using only a CSV file.
Importing a CSV File (SPSS 23 and later)
To import a CSV data file into SPSS, begin by clicking File > Open > Data. In the Open up Information window, alter Files of type to "CSV (*.csv)". Locate your file and click on it to select it, then click OK. This will starting time the Text Import Magician process, which volition walk you through the process of specifying how SPSS should read and translate the data file.
Step i of vi
This window provides a preview of the data in your text file. The first step is to indicate whether the data matches a predefined format, which would be a format saved from a previous text file imported with the Text Import Sorcerer. (This would be the case if yous had already imported a text data file into SPSS in the by that was formatted exactly the aforementioned way, and had called to save the import format during the concluding stride of the Text Import Wizard.) In nigh cases there volition not be a predefined format.
If your data matches a predefined format, clickYes and so browse for and upload the file that defines the format.
If your information do not match a predefined format, clickNo, so clickSide by side.
Stride two of 6
If your data did not lucifer a predefined format yous will demand to tell SPSS how your information is arranged, so that it understands where i cavalcade ends and the adjacent begins. For text files, there are two types of "arrangements": delimited and fixed width. If y'all are importing a CSV file, yous accept delimited data. You will also demand to tell SPSS if the datafile contains variable names. For CSV files, variable names are typically included on the first line of the data file, before the data begins; notwithstanding, some datafiles do non include variable names.
In the "How are your variables arranged" area, click the radio button that matches your information's format:
- Delimited: Variable values are delimited (or separated) in the file past a special character, such equally a comma or a tab.
- Fixed width: Variables are aligned in fixed width columns.
In the "Are variable names included at the elevation of your file" expanse, clickYes orNo.
If necessary, choose the symbol used to denote decimals. Then clickAdjacent.
Step iii of 6
Nosotros at present demand to tell SPSS what row our data begins on, and how many rows should exist read. For CSV files, the first row typically contains the variable names, and the data values begin on line 2. Nonetheless, y'all can cull to skip over sure lines if necessary. (One example where this occurs is in Qualtrics survey data output to CSV: The 2d row often contains variable labels, and ofttimes there may be a third row containing import IDs, and the data actually begins on line iv.) Lastly, if you only want to import a choice of cases -- for instance, the commencement m cases, or a random sample of 10% of the cases -- you tin opt to do so on this screen.
ClickNext when you are finished.
Step iv of 6
In the "Which delimiters announced between variables" surface area, select the check box that reflects the delimiter used in your data. The delimiter is what is used to separate values from each other inside the data. The options include Tab, Infinite, Comma, Semicolon, Other. If the text file is a .csv file, so the delimiter is a comma. If you do not know which delimiter is used in the text file, refer to documentation that is associated with your information or ask someone who knows how the data file was created.
The options Remove leading spaces from cord values and Removing trailing spaces from string values were added in SPSS version 25. If yous are using SPSS version 24 or earlier, you lot will not see these options on this window.
SPSS attempts to guess what delimiters your file is using. For case, when using the import wizard to import the sample information in *.csv format, SPSS guesses that both commas and spaces were used as delimiters. Notice how that affects the parsing of variable Major:
Considering SPSS thinks that both spaces and commas were used as delimiters, it thinks that the spaces occurring in the names of the majors delimit observations for subsequent variables, and hence, SPSS interprets individual words equally readings for the adjacent variable(due south) (hither, variables Height, Weight, and Smoking). Clearing the check box next toSpace volition correct this, and the modify will be reflected in the preview.
Find, however, that there was still at least one case where the observation for Major was incorrectly split across two columns. Notice how the value has double quotes (") before the starting time discussion and after the final word. These quotes are existence used equally the text qualifiers; that is, they indicate where the observation starts and ends. To correct this, we need to change the text qualifier option to Double quote.
ClickNext when you are finished.
Pace 5 of 6
This step allows yous to specify the format for each variable in the information file. In the "Specifications for variable(s) selected in the data preview" surface area, SPSS explains what criteria information technology uses to "guess" what format to use. In SPSS versions 24 and earlier, the default format chosen for a given variable is based on the values nowadays in the first 200 records. In SPSS version 25, the default format chosen is based on 95% of the cases.
In the Data Preview expanse, SPSS displays a preview of how your data will appear in SPSS one time the import is complete. You can select any of the variable names (columns) in order to modify the variable name or alter its format. For instance, in the instance in a higher place we take selected the variable bday in the Information Preview area. This variable name now appears in the Variable name surface area in a higher place, and the Data format is also displayed—which, in this case, is Date/Fourth dimension. You tin change the format of the variable by selecting a unlike format from the drop down carte; hither, we have selected mm/dd/yyyy to match the formatting of the observations in this column. It is of import to check every variable to brand sure the format and length is correct, rather than relying on SPSS to correctly identify the variable formats; this ensures that you control exactly how each variable was read.
Step 6 of 6
In the last footstep, you tin choose to salvage the file format that you only divers for the current information file in case you lot will import data with the same structure and format in the future. You tin can also cull to save the syntax, which is SPSS's text-based command language. Saving the syntax would allow you to format hereafter data files in the same way without having to manually select each of the options in the Import Sorcerer once again.
A preview of your data appears at the bottom of the dialog box. If you lot are satisfied with the way the preview looks, click Finish to finalize the import. At present your data should appear in SPSS in Data View window. Information technology is a good idea to save your newly imported data as an SPSS file (extension ".sav") so that you lot tin easily open the file in SPSS in the future.
Shortcut for Importing CSV Files (SPSS 25)
In whatsoever version of SPSS, you tin can open a text or CSV file past using File > Open up > Data. Prior to SPSS version 25, you lot could alternatively employ File > Read Text Data to brainstorm importing a text or CSV file; this functioned identically to File > Open Data. In SPSS version 25, Read Text Data has been removed from the File menu, and replaced with the File > Import Data submenu.
Clicking File > Import Data > CSV will open up the Read CSV File window:
This prompt attempts to simplify the import procedure, and then certain actions (like renaming variables before importing, or manually specifying variable formats) are removed from this screen. If you need this level of control, you lot tin click the Advanced Options button; this will open the Text Import Wizard (described in the previous section).
Source: https://libguides.library.kent.edu/SPSS/ImportData