If your data file is in SPSS format (have an extension .sav or .por), and want to convert it into Stata format, you can either use (1) SPSS or (2) DBMS\Copy to do the conversion. To use SPSS, you need to go to the computer that has SPSS installed. DBMS/Copy is available at any OIT cluster computers. If the data file is very large (more than 200 megabytes) DBMS/Copy is a better option, as SPSS may stall.
To use SPSS,
1. go to the computer that has SPSS is installed
2. start SPSS
Start -> Programs -> SPSS for Windows -> SPSS 15.0 for Windows
3. open the .sav or .por data file
File -> Open -> Data
locate the data file from where you saved it
4. save the data as .dta
File -> Save As
select a location to save the data in the "Save in:" box
assign a name for the data to be saved
change the "Save as Type:" box value to Stata version 8 SE (*.dta)
click "Save"
