How To Transfer Spss Data To Excel

Data stored in text files have extensions such as*.txt,*.dat, or*.csv. These types of data files are simple to create and are non tied to a proprietary software, then they are a pop option for data files. While many computers will automatically open these file types in a spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel, they can exist opened and edited using any text editor program.

Importing text files into SPSS is slightly unlike than importing information in Excel spreadsheets. There are several different patterns used to delineate the start and end of a detail variable, and SPSS must know what blueprint to follow in order 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. Mutual characters used for delimiters include commas, tabs, and whitespace.

          ID,Age,Gender A001,41,F A009,36,Thousand C321,27,F

Fixed-width data: Rather than using delimiters between observations, the values of the variables are aligned vertically, so that a given variable e'er begins in a certain column position. In the beneath example, ID always begins in cavalcade i; Age e'er begins in cavalcade 10; and Gender e'er begins in column 16.

          ID       Age   Gender A001R    41    F Z009     36    1000 C321BC   27    F

Files with the extension *.txt are called text files. This file type can contain fixed-width or delimited data. A common variation for *.txt files is tab-delimited information; that is, each observation is separated by a tab (created using the Tab cardinal on the keyboard). However, *.txt files practise not always apply tabs every bit delimiters -- in fact, *.txt files tin can utilise whatsoever character as a delimiter, including commas.

Files with the extension *.csv are calledcomma-delimited files; in this type of file, the observations are delimited by a comma. Traditionally, the outset row of a CSV file contains the variable names (separated by a comma), and the showtime row of data begins on the second line. Missing values are denoted using adjacent delimiters.

The process for importing whatsoever of these file types is virtually identical in SPSS, 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 > Information. In the Open Data window, change Files of type to "CSV (*.csv)". Locate your file and click on it to select it, so click OK. This will start the Text Import Magician procedure, which will walk you through the process of specifying how SPSS should read and translate the data file.

Step 1 of half dozen

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 Wizard. (This would exist the case if you lot had already imported a text data file into SPSS in the past that was formatted exactly the aforementioned way, and had chosen to save the import format during the last step of the Text Import Wizard.) In most cases in that location volition not be a predefined format.

If your information matches a predefined format, clickYes and and then browse for and upload the file that defines the format.

If your information do not match a predefined format, clickNo, then clickSide by side.

Step 2 of vi

If your data did non match a predefined format yous will need to tell SPSS how your data is bundled, so that it understands where one cavalcade ends and the next begins. For text files, at that place are two types of "arrangements": delimited and stock-still width. If you are importing a CSV file, you have delimited information. You will besides demand to tell SPSS if the datafile contains variable names. For CSV files, variable names are typically included on the start line of the data file, earlier the information begins; however, some datafiles do not include variable names.

In the "How are your variables bundled" expanse, click the radio push button that matches your data's format:

Delimited: Variable values are delimited (or separated) in the file by a special grapheme, such equally a comma or a tab.
Fixed width: Variables are aligned in stock-still width columns.

In the "Are variable names included at the meridian of your file" expanse, clickYes orNo.

If necessary, choose the symbol used to denote decimals. Then clickNext.

Pace iii of six

Nosotros now need to tell SPSS what row our data begins on, and how many rows should exist read. For CSV files, the beginning row typically contains the variable names, and the data values brainstorm on line 2. Yet, y'all can choose to skip over sure lines if necessary. (1 example where this occurs is in Qualtrics survey data output to CSV: The second row oftentimes contains variable labels, and often there may be a third row containing import IDs, and the information actually begins on line 4.) Lastly, if you simply want to import a selection of cases -- for instance, the starting time yard cases, or a random sample of ten% of the cases -- y'all can opt to do and so on this screen.

ClickNext when you lot are finished.

Step 4 of 6

In the "Which delimiters appear betwixt variables" expanse, select the check box that reflects the delimiter used in your data. The delimiter is what is used to dissever values from each other within the information. The options include Tab, Space, Comma, Semicolon, Other. If the text file is a .csv file, then the delimiter is a comma. If y'all exercise non know which delimiter is used in the text file, refer to documentation that is associated with your data or enquire someone who knows how the data file was created.

The options Remove leading spaces from string values and Removing abaft spaces from string values were added in SPSS version 25. If y'all are using SPSS version 24 or earlier, you will not see these options on this window.

SPSS attempts to guess what delimiters your file is using. For example, when using the import wizard to import the sample data in *.csv format, SPSS guesses that both commas and spaces were used as delimiters. Notice how that affects the parsing of variable Major:

Because 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 private words as readings for the adjacent variable(due south) (hither, variables Meridian, Weight, and Smoking). Clearing the cheque box adjacent toSpace volition correct this, and the change will be reflected in the preview.

Discover, withal, that at that place was still at to the lowest degree i example where the ascertainment for Major was incorrectly carve up across 2 columns. Notice how the value has double quotes (") before the first word and after the last discussion. These quotes are being used as the text qualifiers; that is, they bespeak where the observation starts and ends. To correct this, we demand to modify the text qualifier pick to Double quote.

ClickSide by side when you are finished.

Stride v of 6

This step allows y'all to specify the format for each variable in the data file. In the "Specifications for variable(s) selected in the data preview" surface area, SPSS explains what criteria it uses to "estimate" what format to utilize. In SPSS versions 24 and earlier, the default format chosen for a given variable is based on the values nowadays in the showtime 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 volition announced in SPSS one time the import is complete. You tin can select whatever of the variable names (columns) in order to modify the variable name or change its format. For example, in the case above nosotros take selected the variable bday in the Data Preview area. This variable name at present appears in the Variable name area above, and the Data format is also displayed—which, in this instance, is Date/Fourth dimension. You can change the format of the variable by selecting a different format from the drop down bill of fare; here, we accept selected mm/dd/yyyy to match the formatting of the observations in this column. Information technology is important to check every variable to brand sure the format and length is right, rather than relying on SPSS to correctly place the variable formats; this ensures that you control exactly how each variable was read.

Step 6 of 6

In the terminal footstep, you can choose to save the file format that yous just divers for the current data file in example y'all will import data with the aforementioned structure and format in the hereafter. Y'all tin can also cull to save the syntax, which is SPSS'southward text-based command language. Saving the syntax would allow y'all to format futurity information files in the same way without having to manually select each of the options in the Import Wizard again.

A preview of your data appears at the bottom of the dialog box. If you are satisfied with the manner the preview looks, click Finish to finalize the import. Now your data should announced in SPSS in Information View window. It is a adept idea to save your newly imported information every bit an SPSS file (extension ".sav") and then that yous can hands open the file in SPSS in the futurity.

Shortcut for Importing CSV Files (SPSS 25)

In any version of SPSS, y'all can open a text or CSV file past using File > Open > Data. Prior to SPSS version 25, yous could alternatively use File > Read Text Data to begin importing a text or CSV file; this functioned identically to File > Open Information. In SPSS version 25, Read Text Data has been removed from the File menu, and replaced with the File > Import Information submenu.

Clicking File > Import Data > CSV will open up the Read CSV File window:

This prompt attempts to simplify the import process, then certain actions (like renaming variables earlier importing, or manually specifying variable formats) are removed from this screen. If you demand this level of control, y'all can click the Advanced Options button; this will open the Text Import Wizard (described in the previous section).