When it comes to leveraging data quickly and efficiently, importing data from an Excel spreadsheet into Stata is a key skill to master. Learning how to import Excel data with variable names in the first row using Stata provides you with the ability to quickly manage and analyse data to help make better business decisions.
Before You Begin
Before you begin importing data from an Excel spreadsheet into Stata, it’s important to note the following:
- The data needs to be arranged in a standard dataset form in the Excel spreadsheet before importing it into Stata. This means that data needs to be arranged in either a Stacked form or a Rectangular form, both of which are explained below.
- Ensure the variable names are in the first row.
- Select what type of variable is contained in each cell.
- Ensure the variable name names are in a standard format, meaning they should contain no spaces, punctuation marks or non-alphabetical characters.
What is Stacked Form?
Stacked form is a dataset form where the cases are lined up in a single column and the variables that describe each case are placed in secondary columns. To understand how a stacked form looks, consider the example below:
| ID | Name | Age | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff | 27 | Male |
| 2 | Annie | 28 | Female |
What is Rectangular Form?
Rectangular form is a dataset form where the cases are lined up in rows and the variables that describe each case are placed in columns. To understand how a rectangular form looks, consider the example below:
| ID | Name | Age | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff | 27 | Male |
| 2 | Annie | 28 | Female |
Step-by-Step Guide and Links
Follow these steps to learn how to import Excel data with variable names in the first row using Stata:
Open up Stata.
Open up the Excel file that contains the data you need to export.
Arrange the spreadsheet in either the staked or the rectangular form.
Ensure the variable names are in the first row.
Select what type of variable is contained in each cell.
Go to File > Import data > Excel files.
Select the Excel file that contains the data you need to export and click “Open”.
Select “Yes” within the dialogue box that appears.
Select “Stata Dataset” in the “Files of type” drop-down menu and click “Open”.
Select “Import range of cells” in the “Output” drop-down menu and click “OK”.
Select “Stacked” or “Rectangular” form in the “Format of the source data” drop-down menu.
Select “Yes, the first row contains variable names” in the “Does the first row in the spreadsheet contain names of the variables?” drop-down menu.
Ensure the “Save as type” drop-down menu is set to “Stata Dataset” and click “OK”.
Once the data has been exported, review it and make any necessary adjustments.
FAQ
What do I need to do before I start importing Excel data with variable names in the first row using Stata?
Before you begin importing data from an Excel spreadsheet into Stata, it's important to note that the data needs to be arranged in a standard dataset form in the Excel spreadsheet before importing it into Stata. This means that data needs to be arranged in either a Stacked form or a Rectangular form. Additionally, ensure the variable names are in the first row, select what type of variable is contained in each cell and ensure the variable names are in a standard format, meaning they should contain no spaces, punctuation marks or non-alphabetical characters.
What is Stacked form?
Stacked form is a dataset form where the cases are lined up in a single column and the variables that describe each case are placed in secondary columns. To understand how a stacked form looks, consider the example below:
| ID | Name | Age | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff | 27 | Male |
| 2 | Annie | 28 | Female |
What is Rectangular form?
Rectangular form is a dataset form where the cases are lined up in rows and the variables that describe each case are placed in columns. To understand how a rectangular form looks, consider the example below:
| ID | Name | Age | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff | 27 | Male |
| 2 | Annie | 28 | Female |
What type of files can be imported into Stata?
Stata supports the import of various different types of files, including plain text (.txt, .csv, .por, .dta, and .dbf), Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx and .xlsm), SPSS (.sav), SAS (.sas7bdat) and more.
Is it possible to import data from multiple files into Stata at once?
Yes, it is possible to import data from multiple files into Stata at once. To do this, you'll need to use the use command with the batch prefix, followed by the complete path to the files you need to import.
For example, if the files you wish to import are located at c:/data/, then the command you would use would be:
use c:/data/*
How can I view the data I’ve imported into Stata once the import is complete?
To view the data you've imported into Stata, you can use the browse command or you can use the Explore window which can be opened by clicking View > Explore or using the command explore.