Re: st: Conversion from string to numeric with imported excel document

[Nick Cox <njcoxstata@gmail.com>]

The FAQ

FAQ     . . . . . . . . Converting other format files into Stata dataset files
        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  N. J. Cox
        8/06    How do I get information from Excel into Stata?
                http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/data-management/
                converting-excel-files/

predates -import excel- but it does flag many small issues.

In my experience many Stata users expect Stata to understand all sorts
of conventions that (a) make sense to Excel (b) make sense to Excel
users because they are familiar as their own personal conventions.

That can be a tough call, especially (b)

By the way, the FAQ above was not compiled because I am any kind of
expert on Excel, or even a competent user. Rather, as a keen Stata
user I was asked all sorts of questions locally, and I compiled what I
could glean, some of it from Statalist postings.

Nick

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 12:34 PM, Hans Lundin <hans.cefam@gmail.com> wrote:

> I扉e also had numerous issues with conversion of Excel-sheets containing
> string variables. If you have to import Excel-sheets more than occasionally,
> my suggestion is to get the program StatTransfer. You can then decide the
> storage format for each variable before the conversion. That has solved most
> conversion problems for me.
>
> Best regards Hans Lundin
>
>
>
> 2012/10/3 Ryan Stevens <stevrl7@gmail.com>
>>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I'm having a very weird problem. I have imported an excel document
>> which was generated from an online game me and my co-author are
>> working with. Of course, when importing it into STATA the numeric
>> values are stored as strings. However, in trying to convert from
>> strings to numerics, it changes the values of the cells. I have tried
>> both encode and destring commands. I also attempted to trim off any
>> blank spaces, believing this may be an issue. Furthermore, I've tried
>> manually removing any blank spaces or non-numeric values from the
>> excel file and re-importing the document, and I still have the same
>> problem. The odd thing is if I am looking at any given cell it will be
>> the right value, however, when I click on the cell and view the value
>> of the number at the top, it does not match what is showing in the
>> specific cell. Any thoughts on how to resolve this problem would be
>> greatly appreciated.

*
*   For searches and help try:
*   http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
*   http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/resources/statalist-faq/
*   http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/