Importing Data
Importing data into R is fairly simple. For Stata and Systat, use the foreign package. For SPSS and SAS I would recommend the Hmisc package for ease and functionality. See the Quick-R section on packages, for information on obtaining and installing the these packages. Example of importing data are provided below.
From A Comma Delimited Text File
# first row contains variable names, comma is separator
# assign the variable id to row names
# note the / instead of \ on mswindows systems
mydata <- read.table("c:/mydata.csv", header=TRUE,
sep=",", row.names="id")
From Excel
The best way to read an Excel file is to export it to a comma delimited file and import it using the method above. On windows systems you can use the RODBC package to access Excel files. The first row should contain variable/column names.
# first row contains variable names
# we will read in workSheet mysheet
library(RODBC)
channel <- odbcConnectExcel("c:/myexel.xls")
mydata <- sqlFetch(channel, "mysheet")
odbcClose(channel)
From SPSS
# save SPSS dataset in trasport format
get file='c:\mydata.sav'.
export outfile='c:\mydata.por'.
# in R
library(Hmisc)
mydata <- spss.get("c:/mydata.por", use.value.labels=TRUE)
# last option converts value labels to R factors
From SAS
# save SAS dataset in trasport format
libname out xport 'c:\mydata.xpt';
data out.mydata;
set sasuser.mydata;
run;
# in R
library(Hmisc)
mydata <- sasxport.get("c:/mydata.xpt")
# character variables are converted to R factors
From Stata
# input Stata file
library(foreign)
mydata <- read.dta("c:/mydata.dta")
From systat
# input Systat file
library(foreign)
mydata <- read.systat("c:/mydata.dta")