Loading and using data on Windows

 

This tutorial gives information about loading and using data on Windows (with Stata or other software). Note that micro data sets can be very large. This page uses Stata as a working example – for other software please modify accordingly.

If the data required are not in Stata format, read the Stata-11 manuals located at 005.369 STATA-11 in the VSP Library  and at the Badia Library.

Data users should also read the Heavy Computational Tasks page .

 

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If the data required are in Stata format, proceed as follows:

1. Confirm the variables needed and which files contain them. (Consult the online documentation available on the Library Micro data sets  page.)

2. EUI micro data is accessible on the K:\ drive  to current EUI members who have registered .

3. Use the Stata commands to extract the variables required and create 'restricted data' as in the following example:

Eg: To use var1 and var2 from fileX in datasetY, one of the first lines of the Stata do-file should look like this:

use var1 var2 using K:\datasetY\fileX

4. Save the 'restricted data' file (naming it eg. 'mydata') in the home directory on G:\ using the Stata 'save' command:

save ...\mydata

 When it is necessary to combine information from two different files in order to create the 'restricted data', users can temporarily save files locally on D:\Temp\username as follows:

save D:\Temp\username\mydata

Having saved data on the local D:\ drive, users should then transfer to G:\ before ending their work session.

 

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Data users should also read the CS Heavy Computational Tasks page . 

Users who need assistance opening and using data in a preferred software should contact one of the Research Software Tutors  or Thomas Bourke at econlibrary@eui.eu .

 

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