Frequently Asked Questions

What statistical packages are available within the ISS?

Several statistical packages are available at Newcastle University but site licences are available for 3 core statistical packages namely SPSS, Minitab and SAS.

Someone mentioned CSV file but what are these and can I use them?

CSV means Comma Separated Values. CSV file is simply a text (ASCII) file. The data values in the file are separated by commas. Most statistical packages can read such a file. So you can use the file in most statistical packages.

Can Minitab or SPSS read Excel file?

The simply answer is yes. Minitab just like SPSS can read many different file format. You have to tell Minitab or SPSS what sort of file you want to read. From the menu bar select File then Open, from the displayed dialogue box, you will see Files of Type. Tell the software what type of file you want to open or read.

I'm trying to transfer a file which is currently in stata (.dta file) into Minitab (.mtw file). So far I've had no joy whatsoever. Can you help?

Minitab supports many type of file format such as: excel, quattro pro, 1-2-3, symphony, dBase, and Text. Unfortunately, it does not support stata (.dta file).

Try saving your file(s) as one of those mentioned (preferably as text, *.txt) in stata. I am hoping that stata will support at least one of the files types mentioned. Then you will be able to open it in Minitab and then save it as a Minitab file (.mtw).

I usually work with fixed format or space delimited files of data, but I know that ‘csv’ (Comma Separated Values ) is an increasingly common file format. Can anyone easily tell me how to read in comma delimited files into the SAS system?

For Windows 95/NT use the SAS Import Wizard (File -> Import), select ‘tab separated’. Follow the instructions on the screen. This really works smoothly. The Export Wizard does it the other way round.

I have just received a data file in SAS. I have no idea what to do with it! How can I convert it to Excel or (preferably) SPSS file?

If you have SAS on your machine, start it, then go to File and select Export and follow the instructions on the screen. Save the data file as *.csv. * stands for the name of the file and csv for command separated value.

Excel and SPSS can read csv file and SPSS can read Excel file.

I am using a UCS PC and although I can cut and paste graphs in to Word from SPSS output window, I am unable to transfer tables. How do I do this?

To transfer tables to a Word document, select the table by clicking on it, and then use Copy Objects to copy the table. Now, open your Word document and simply paste the table either using Paste or Paste Special.

I am trying to copy a graph from Minitab over to Word. The document that I am trying to copy already has other graphs and Minitab tables on it. When I copy and paste the graph on to Word it pastes it over the graph which is above where I want it. When I try to paste special the graph, only half of it appears but in the correct place. The graph I am trying to copy is an analysis of means graph which consists of 1 large graph and 2 smaller ones, the small ones are both missing from the paste special. Do you have any suggestions?

It sounds as if you did not place the cursor on the exact position in the Word document where you want the graph to appear. Place the cursor in the exact position in your word document where you want the graph to appear before you paste it.

Someone is sending me a file with loads of data of over 100 000 records. The problem is that how do I receive this data?

It depends on the statistical package you plan to use in analysing the data. It is best to receive the file as a text file as most statistical packages will be able to read a text file.

Under Unix, SAS indicates some example files that I cannot locate. For instance, there is a large number of SAS example files in the directory /usr/local/sas/samples. How can I get into these sample files?

Try the following:

 finan [sparc] 1% ls /usr/local/sasroot/sas612 
 finan [sparc] 2% cd samples

This will hopefully invoke all the sample programs. You can then select the one you are after.

Note: The sample programs (files) will be under the different modules. You have to cd to the particular module to access a particular sample program (file) under that module.

I would like to install SAS on a new PC in my office. Where can I get the SAS installation CD-ROM? The PC is Windows NT machine. Should I bring an internal order form, and for how much money?

You can get SAS CD-ROM from the ISS shop. The ISS shop is based at the Claremont Tower. You will need to fill in an internal order form. It will cost £35p.a. You can also get SPSS and Minitab from the ISS shop.

I have got SAS installed on my PC on the University site license. Unfortunately, I only use it occasionally, and I just tried to start it today and found that the license has expired. Do I just need to modify the SETINIT file ? or do I need to re-install SAS?

You need to modify the SETINIT file. Look for a file called setinit.sas in your SAS directory. Double click to open this file and modify file to look like the current setinit file. You can get the current setinit file from the ISS shop or email s.t.kometa@ncl.ac.uk.

I want to renew my SPSS license code. Which file do I need to run?

It really depends on the version of SPSS that you have and on the operating system that you are using. If you are using SPSS version 7.5 or higher on Windows 95/NT, you need to run a file called licrenew.exe. Double click to open this file and it will ask you for the new license code.