FAQs for DataToText (David A. Kenny)
David A. Kenny
April 11, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for DataToText
All of macros describled have been replaced by shiny apps. To learn about these apps visit th DyadR page.
If you are having trouble getting DataToText macro (called "xtext" here) to run, consult this page. I refer to the computer program as SPSS, but it might be SAS or eventually R. Please send me your FAQ, but please do not send me your data.
Normally, you need three files open in the same SPSS window: the dataset, the macro which you have run, and call to the macro. If you are having difficulties, it is advisable to close all the files and start over. Finally, you do not need to run the macro every time you use it. You need run it once per session.
1. I have SPSS output, but I do not see the text in that output.
2. I run the macro and nothing happens.
3. The program runs, but the dataset is not right.
4. I get the message "cannot find xtext" where "xtext" is the name of the macro (e.g., ModText).
5. When I look at my output, it is one long line. How can I view the whole file?
6. The program runs, but the output, especially the tables, look wrong.
7. Can these macros run on MAC?
1. I have SPSS output, but I do not see the text in that output.
That is because the text output is not in the SPSS output. You need to go an external text file. I would suggest using Notepad or MS Word to open the file. Its default name is "C:/ModText.txt", but you can change it if you want to.
2. I run the macro and nothing happens.
If nothing happens when you run the macro command set on the web page, that is ok.
The macro will do nothing until you then execute the macro command by feeding it the parameters pertinent to your analysis and data set. You need to "call" the macro.
3. The program runs, but the dataset is not right.
It is safest to have just one dataset open. Also the dataset needs to open in the same run. Before running xText, you need to have three files: your data, xText.sps (the macro), and the macro call.
4. I get the message "cannot find xtext."
You need to run the macro first. Open the macro, xtext.sps, go to run and click "All."
5. When I look at my output, it is one long line. How can I view the whole file?
If using Notepad, go to "Format" and click "WordWrap." Alternatively, use MS Word as the editor.
6. The program runs, but the output, especially the tables, look wrong.
If you use an earlier version of SPSS, version 14 or earlier, this will happen. You should notice an error in your output for "Alter Type" command near the end of the output. Alternatively, you may have variable names that are too long. Try shortening the variable names.
7. Can these macros run on MAC?
They should be able to. You need to change the default directory in the macro call to a directory that your MAC can read. Please let me know if you can or cannot run the macros on your MAC.
Go to the DataToText page.
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