Support Forums

Hi- I sent this to support but thought I would post here in case someone in the forum can provide an answer/solution  sooner.

I had previously exported my survey report to my Mac and have been working with the data. when I noted I was missing some variables - the ones from the second section ( ie B) of a matrix question which asked in essence A] “do you have this now” ( yes, no, n/a)and in B] how important would it be”.(rate 1 to 5) since I read of your improvements for exporting, I tried exporting the report again. I was able to export in a “new way” making it easier to tweak the report but when I tried for the actually SPSS .sav format the zip file wouldn't open and I got the following message “the file “SPSSExport ****92070.zip” does not appear to be compressed or encoded. It is advised that you obtain further information about the contents of this file from the sender or provider of the file.
It will help to know what program created the file and what operating system(s) the file can be used on.”
HELP PLEASE..
I will need to be able to export this survey again later.
In the meantime, is there another way to export and insert the missing data files? it is about 8 variables.
thanks for your help
donna

Thanks Christian - my survey is called NS CCA survey 2008

donna

Christian - I can now export to SPSS but it doesn't look the same as when I previously expeorted it about a month ago.

In place of the previous variable names which were names like “var98n0″ are abbreviate word. I think this will make all the snytax coding I have done  to date invalid.

Also, most of the labels are blank???? is there a way to fix this back to the way it look with my previous successful export?

I do apprecait your quick response, but know I really worried about the usability of the new current SPSS export format…. Can I go back in to my survey and edit out the non-alpha-numeric characters in the  variable names? and will this enable me to export without the filters

Donna

OK - i can do that - but will that also resort the variable labels that are missing?

and If I edited my survey at this point to put in the corresponding values that I am putting in via syntax coding ( eg. yes=1 and no=0) will it mess up previous responses or will they all convert to the new values?

It seems like most of what I am doing in the syntax I could do diirectly by editing my survey - if that's the case - can I do it now? I get that “warning” and am afraid to make a change and lose my existing data…

Thanks for the quick responses Christian - it means I lose less sleep :-)

donna

Christian Vanek said:

I wouldn't suggest changing your reporting values after collecting data. 

But you can change your “optional reference name” which is the first item under “Advanced Formatting”

Cheers,

-Christian

Thanks Christian - I did change the optional reference name as suggested and all my missing variable names and labels returned -(sign of relief) I will refrain from changing the values as you indicate.

I can see where the capabilities you have added for designing the survey will be very beneficial for my next survey and save much painful “coding”  after the fact - so thank you - both for your help on this problem and for the enhancements.

donna