Inputting data from the keyboard

Inputting data directly from the keyboard is the most basic method of entering data. Before entering new data, make sure you know the frequency of your data (that is, whether your data are undated, or have annual, quarterly, or monthly frequencies), the number of variables in your data set, and the sample period of your observations.

To input a new data set, choose ‘Input new data from the keyboard’in the File Menu. This opens a new data set dialogue. The data frequency …elds are at the top of the dialogue, with …elds for start and end dates, and number of variables below. The following data frequency options are available. To choose one, click the appropriate radio button

Undated Annual Half-yearly Quarterly Monthly

Entering undated observations: This option is often relevant for entering cross-sectional observations, and when it is chosen Micro…t assumes that the observations are unordered, and asks how many observations you have. An observation refers to the individual unit on which you have data. For example, if you have cross-section data containing variables such as employment, output, and investment on a number of …rms, then each …rm represents an observation, and the number of observations will be equal to the number of …rms in your data

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set. If you have time series data covering the period from 1960 to 1970 inclusive and for one reason or another you wish to enter them as undated data; then the number of observations in your data set will be equal to 11.

Entering annual, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly observations: If any of these options are chosen, the program will supply the dates, and you will not need to type them in. You are, however, asked to type the dates for the start and end of your data in the appropriate …eld. For example, if your data are annual and cover the period 1960-1985 inclusive, when asked, you need to enter 1960 in the Start …eld and 1985 into the End …eld. You can type the year in its full (1960) or abbreviated (60) form. However, if your data go beyond the year 1999 you must enter the dates in their full forms, namely 2000, 2025 and so on.

If your data are quarterly and cover the period from the …rst quarter of 1990 to the last quarter of 2000 inclusive, you need to enter 1990 in the Start …eld and 1 in the adjacent quarter …eld, then 2000 in the End …eld, specifying 4 as its quarter.

Similar responses will be required if your data are half-yearly or monthly.

Note: It is not possible to enter daily data directly from the keyboard. You can only input them from an Excel …le or copy them from the clipboard. See Section (3.2.10) for further information on how to input daily data.

Entering number of variables: This refers to the number of data items that you have for each observation. Set as appropriate.

When you have …nished entering the information, click . This opens the Variables window.

Entering variable names: The Variables window contains the default variable names X1; X2; X3, ... For example, if you specify that you have 10 variables the screen editor appears with the following default variable names

X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8 X9 X10

You can enter your own choice of variable names and/or add a description if you wish. Move to the appropriate …eld and edit or add text using standard Windows editing functions.

A valid variable name is alphanumeric, can be at most 9 characters long, and must begin with a letter. Lower- and upper-case letters are treated as equivalent. ‘_’underscore is also allowed anywhere in a variable name. Examples of valid variable names are

GDP U K OU T P U T X2Y 3 DAT A261 Y _1

Variable names such as $GDP; 123; 2X, W # are not allowed. Also, function and command names used in the data processing stage cannot be used as variable names. The list of function and command names can be found in Chapter4.

Variable descriptions can be up to 80 characters long. You can return to the Variables window at any stage, by clicking the button. Variables can also be given an optional description of up to 80 characters in the Process window by means of the command ENTI- TLE. See Chapter4 on how to use this and other commands. When you are satis…ed with the changes you have made, click .

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Warning: Note that until the Close button is pressed, the Undo button will restore the variables or their descriptions to their original values. But once the Close button is activated the Undo button will no longer function.

Entering data: When you have completed listing your variable names, you will be presented with the Data window. This is where you enter the observations on your …rst variable. Initially, all cells on this screen are set to blank, indicating missing values.

To enter your data, move to each cell in turn and type in your data. Continue until all the observations are entered. If the observations do not …t on one screen use the PgUp and PgDn keys to move between screens. To move to the top or bottom table, press Ctrl+Home and Ctrl+End. When you have …nished entering your observations, click .

Warning: Note that until the Close button is pressed, the Undo button will restore the data to their original values. But once the Close button is activated the Undo button will no longer function.