In Stata, how do I read an ASCII text file?
The Stata infile command reads a space- or
comma-delimited ASCII text file. The infix
command imports a fixed ASCII file without a delimiter.
Suppose you want to read the space-delimited ASCII file
temp.txt saved in the directory c:\data.
The file contains five variables (v1, v2,
v3, v4, and v5). Use the
infile command as follows:
The clear option removes the existing data set in memory
and reads in a new data set.
If a text file does not use a delimiter and instead distinguishes data
items by their column locations, it is called the fixed format. The
following command reads a string variable id from the
first column through the seventh column, a numeric variable
stat from columns 11-13, and math from
columns 14-16.
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.
Last modified on May 06, 2011.
