Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:53:16 -0400
Reply-To: Dave Taber <dave@novaquant.com>
Sender: "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Dave Taber <dave@novaquant.com>
Subject: Re: excel file issue
In-Reply-To: <7.0.1.0.2.20090719024318.039591a0@mindspring.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
unfortunately, the CACHE solution didn't work for me, however, I
tried saving the excel file as an excel 2003 type and the problem
went away -- so it seems as though the problem only happens with
excel 2007 files
On Jul 19, 2009, at 2:50 AM, Richard Ristow wrote:
> At 11:54 AM 7/16/2009, Dave Taber wrote:
>
>> I open an Excel 2007 file with syntax in SPSS and then I save the
>> file as an SPSS data file and the run additional syntax creating
>> new files (with the original Excel file not being used at the end
>> of the syntax). But when I try and then edit the original excel
>> file in Excel I get a message saying that file is being used so it
>> can't be saved. It appears as if SPSS is somehow still holding on
>> to my Excel file behind the scenes.
>
> That may be happening as designed. Since, I think, release 12.5,
> SPSS has used a 'virtual active fit' -- that is, the file you build
> and run isn't saved, but the syntax to build it is, and when you
> use the file again, that syntax is re-run to rebuild the file as
> you need it.
>
> That save disk space, since you don't need a scratch disk file. But
> it can well be slower; and it means SPSS has to hang onto its input
> files.
>
> Try using 'CACHE' after you read the first file. That forces SPSS
> to write a scratch file, after all, and should get it to 'let go'
> of the Excel file.
>
> On the other hand, it's common enough for programs to hang onto
> files and other resources they aren't going to use anymore. I'm not
> aware of any such problem documented for SPSS, but I wouldn't
> dogmatically rule it out.
>
Dave Taber
novaQuant
listening - thinking - solving
dave@novaquant.com
914.238.1310
www.novaQuant.com
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