How can I read ASCII data files into Stata?

Suppose your data is in the following format, located on a flash drive, for example E:, with the filename data.txt :

The data consist of eight cases and seven variables, with each variable delimited by a single space. (You can also delimit variables with tabs or commas.) The second variable is a string variable, the seventh variable is a floating point variable, and a missing value is indicated by a period for the fifth variable of the fourth case.

To read this file into Stata, at the Stata prompt, enter:

Note: The name of each variable is listed in the order that it appears in the raw data file. Each variable name must begin with a letter and avoid special characters such as  #  (the pound sign) and  $  (the dollar sign). The str7 notation informs Stata that the variable immediately following (sex) is a string variable whose length is seven characters.

To read ASCII data files into Stata using the drop-down menu, click File > Import > Unformatted ASCII data.

To save the data in a Stata format to the flash drive, enter:

Note: To enter a string with embedded spaces or commas, surround it with quotation marks (e.g., "Indiana University"). If data is tab- or comma-delimited, use the insheet command instead of infile. If data is in a fixed format, use the infix command.

For more about statistical and mathematical software, email the UITS Stat/Math Center, visit the center's web page, or phone 812-855-4724 (IUB) or 317-278-4740 (IUPUI). The center is located in Bloomington at 410 N. Park Avenue, and is open for consultation by appointment Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

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