Individuals and institutions make all or parts of their data available to the public.  Some institutions provide the data in a variety of formats (e.g., National Election Studies site or the Criminal Justice Archive).  When the data is available in the SPSS format, use it---this is the cost effective way to do your analysis. However, SPSS can import data from a variety of formats.

SPSS Portable Files  (.por)

SPSS portable files are by far the easiest way to import foreign data into the SPSS program.  This file contains all the data and formatting information, all you have to do is open the file.  This file has a .por extension, which will be recognized by the computer as an SPSS file.  The portable file may be compressed, so you make have to unzip it.  Then either just double click on the file name, or start SPSS and from the File Menu, select Open and Data.  In the window that opens, simply indicate the location of the portable file on the computer..

SPSS Syntax Files (.sps)

In this case you must have two files:  (1) a syntax file that contains a series of SPSS commands, and (2) a data file, usually in ASCII format.  Basically you open and run the syntax file within SPSS.  The commands in the syntax file read the data and apply all the formatting that is necessary.

Make sure you have both files in the same directory or on the desk top.

Start SPSS and from the File Menu, select Open, and Syntax.  In the window that opens simply indicate the location of the syntax file on the computer.  Note: the syntax file will have a .sps extension.

Once the syntax file is loaded, from the Run Menu, select All.  Unless there is a problem, this should then load the information into the data editor, and you are ready for analysis.

SPSS Saved Files (.sav)

Rarely will you find data provided as an SPSS saved file; however, if you do it, can be opened just as you would open a datafile you had created and saved at Bradley. 

EXCEL Spreadsheets (.xls)

SPSS can read many formats including spread sheets.  If you have a choice between a SPSS portable file and a spreadsheet, always select the portable file.  With the spreadsheet you will get less formatting and labeling information.  To import a spreadsheet into the SPSS data editor, from the File Menu, select Open and Data.  In the window that opens, simply indicate the location of the portable file on the computer. 

Other Types of Formats

SPSS can import several other types of files, including simple text files. 

 

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Larry Aspin  aspin at bradley.edu
Department of Political Science
Bradley University