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  • 1.  "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Thu May 18, 2023 10:26 AM

    Hello,

    I'm using SPSS 29 on Windows. I'm trying to export the data to a .dat (tab-delimited) file. However, the option to uncheck "write variable names" is not coming up. Is there a work around this? I found a document saying 
    "Temporary workaround.

    This is a refresh issue where the initial export dialog is always labeled "No" when in fact the Export Options may be set for "Yes".

    The actual export always follows the stated export options dialog. So when trying to perform this export, always push in to the export options dialog and verify that your settings are as you expect them to be."

    However, I'm not really sure what I need to do? 
    Any help would be greatly appreciated! 



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    Hannah Jarman
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  • 2.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Thu May 18, 2023 01:10 PM
     If you are on a Mac, go to Edit > Options > General and choose to use the SPSS-specific file dialogs.

    On Windows, I see that checkbox for dat files.  I'm on 29.0.1, so you might need to install that fixpack.

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Tue April 08, 2025 09:21 AM

    Hi! Jon,

    I am facing a similar error. I'm using SPSS 29 on Windows. I'm trying to export the data to a .dat (tab-delimited) file. However, the option to uncheck "write variable names" is not coming up. Is there a work around this?  I work on Mac and tried your workaround (Edit > Options > General and choose to use the SPSS-specific file dialogs.) but the dialog still doesn't appear.  What am I missing? Kindly help

    Thanks,

    Vrinda

    vrinda.khattar@gmail.com



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    Vrinda Khattar
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Tue April 08, 2025 12:17 PM
    In the Data Editor, using File > Export > Tab-Delimited, you should see a checkbox near the bottom "Write variable names to file"


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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Tue April 22, 2025 11:43 AM

    Thanks Jon! However, checkbox near the bottom "Write variable names to file" doesn't appear in SPSS 29. Please help!



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    Vrinda Khattar
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Tue April 22, 2025 12:37 PM
    My V29 on Windows shows that checkbox when I choose Tab Delimited (*,dat).

    The only thing I can think of is that  your screen resolution setting is causing the bottom of the dialog box to be clipped off.

    You can, though, do the save through syntax like this using a syntax window..
    SAVE TRANSLATE OUTFILE='C:\temp\mydata.dat'
      /TYPE=TAB
      /ENCODING='UTF8'
      /MAP
      /REPLACE
      /FIELDNAMES
      /CELLS=VALUES.


    --



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: "write variable names" option when exporting .dat files

    Posted Tue April 22, 2025 01:08 PM

    Thanks Jon! Will try this. This functionality of write variable names check box  is important for me as I need to save the dat file for Mplus, which reads only numerical values



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    Vrinda Khattar
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    Original Message


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