the same problem in the ranking items variables ( 3 right columns )
It would be a12_1, a12_2, a12_3

1) Which export type/format and options do you use for export? ==> Please add an export(ed) file for us too!
2) Sorry, I didn't get at a first quick look why and where that's a problem ==> I only use german or english.
3) Please explain once more, perhaps add a screenshot, where we can see where and why there is a problem and add an export file.

I use excel, becouse other formats create gibberish in Hebrew

Please see data_import1.bmp.
SAS doesn't permitt signs like "[]", "-" or hebrew letters in the variable names.
When I import data and choose option "question code" and I have more then one variable from a question it creates variables names with the problem signs.
Also you can see hebrew letters in the variabe names from "other options".

1) What is SAS? Do you have a link?
2) Is this problem only related to SAS?

Sorry -))
SAS - is a package for statistical analysis.
I have this problem also in SPSS (other package).
Question codes turn into variable names, but most statistical packages have
restriction for permited signs in the variable names

Please see "SAS Data Set (Version 8 or 9)" in
http://www.cpc.unc.edu/services/computer/presentations/sasclass99/datafiles.html

@ mdekker: as our expert in that topic what do you think about it?

In SPSS export this should not be a problem as variable name validation is done and the name is constructed like proposed. Warnings are put in the code where conflicts are found and the name is adjusted. The basic rule is to choose your question codes and answer values wisely.

If possible, please create an spss export and work from there. If this is not possible, a free alternative would be to use R export as it is basically the same. From there it might be possible to transfer the dataset to SAS, but I have no experience with that.

The excel export used is indeed difficult to use, but I think for excel it is the only way to get meaningful headers as there is only a single dimension to each cell to store questioncode, question, answer while in spss a variable has a name and a label.

The spss output I get form this survey seems ok to me:

RENAME VARIABLE ( V5 = a1_aa1 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V6 = a1_aa2 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V7 = a1_aa3 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V8 = a2 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V9 = a3 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V10 = a3_other ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V11 = a4 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V12 = a5 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V13 = a6 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V14 = a7_1 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V15 = a7_2 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V16 = a8 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V17 = a9 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V18 = a9_other ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V19 = a10 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V20 = a10_comment ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V21 = a11 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V22 = a12_1 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V23 = a12_2 ).
RENAME VARIABLE ( V24 = a12_3 ).

mdekker, I creates questionnares in Hebrew. When I use SPSS import, all hebrew letters turn into gibberish. Only excel import saves the hebrew data.
Please see atachment

I don't have spss 16 at the moment, stuck with 15 that doesn't handle UTF. When I open the syntax with a text editor I see what looks like hebrew to me. Can you please tell me what version of SPSS you use?

15

SPSS 15 is not capable of using unicode. Maybe someone with 16 or up can confirm wether the export is correct or not?

To alter the excel export is not up to me I think, maybe ElMatador69 or CSchmitz can assign to the appropriate person?

when I use SPSS 17 - the same problem

Can you please attach the .sps syntax file for me together with the csv? Please note you can mark the topic as private to ensure your data is safe.

sure

I uploaded syntax+*.dat file

As soon as I can get my hands on SPSS 17 I will have a look and see what I can do. Do you get any errors after running the syntax? Sometimes they are 'hidden' in the output so you have to browse the output.

Just a quick thought... The first line reads:
*$Rev: 7762 $.\nSET UNICODE=ON.

Could you delete the first chars so it reads:
SET UNICODE=ON.

and then rerun the syntax?

In versio 17 I don't see any error, but it runs only the first part of the code

I uploaded the output

I tried to run only SET UNICODE=ON - the same result

I attached my output from spss15 and my sav file. Because it doesn't have unicode support i have an error for that line and i suppose the encoding is crap but i get the correct variable names.

You should put set unicode first and then run the rest of the script (run the complete script including set unicode as the first line)

Attached the sps file that should run ok (maybe you need to set the path to the dat file first)

I tried your syntax - it runs until VARIABLE LABELS, as before

Ok, I the data same to your ,but still instead of Hebrew I see other symbols

got

Sorry, I ran it again and now it's ok!!!!

Thank you -)

What did you changed in the syntax?Only fist row?

I so I guess the first line was the one that gave the problems. I though I fixed it already but that doesn't seem the case. I will fix it in svn today.

The only change was the first line. I just committed the fix to svn if you are familiar with that. If not, you can edit the \admin\export_data_spss.php to read:

$headerComment = '*$Rev: 8020 $.' . "\n";

on line 34.

Fixed in revision 8020, incorrect newline prevented the unicode line from running.