Effective data management is crucial for accurate analysis in Stata. This section covers key functions and techniques for handling datasets, modifying variables, and ensuring data integrity.

Loading and Saving Data

• Stata supports multiple data formats, including .dta (Stata format), .csv, and .xls.
• To load a dataset: use filename.dta, clear
• To save a dataset: save filename.dta, replace
• To import data from a CSV file: import delimited filename.csv
• To export data to a CSV file: export delimited filename.csv

Examining and Exploring Data

• describe: Provides an overview of the dataset, including variable names, types, and labels.
• summarize: Computes summary statistics for numeric variables.
• list: Displays selected observations and variables.
• codebook: Provides detailed information about variables, including unique values and missing data.
• tabulate: Generates frequency tables for categorical variables.

Modifying and Creating Variables

• Generate new variables: generate newvar = expression
• Modify existing variables: replace varname = newvalue if condition
• Convert string to numeric: destring varname, replace
• Convert numeric to string: tostring varname, replace
• Label variables: label variable varname "Description"
• Label values: label define lblname 1 "Category1" 2 "Category2"