Can a SPSS SAV file be compressed in PROC EXPORT?

[hadim001]

We have some clients who still require SAV files for use in SPSS. When using PROC EXPORT and DBMS=SAV (or DBMS=SPSS), the files created are absolutely massive. A data file that would normally be about 200mb in SPSS is running ~ 880mb when exported. One easy example to replicate is a doing a PROC IMPORT followed immediately by a PROC EXPORT and the file goes from 10mb to 80mb. 

In the PROC EXPORT documentation, it states that .SAV files can be: "SPSS files, compressed and uncompressed binary files". For the life of me I cannot find anywhere that references compressing a .SAV during the PROC EXPORT procedure. Is this possible in SAS?

And no, we cannot deliver as a .zip file.

Syntax is super basic, but if it helps:

proc export file="/my/path/to/testdataexportedfromsas.sav"
			dbms=sav
			replace
			data=sasdataset;
run;

Thanks!

[neeld1]

Hello, even I'm facing the same issue. 

It would be great if someone could help out.

Regards,

Neel

[SASKiwi]

@neeld1  - I had a quick look at this and from what I can see SAS can read compressed SPSS SAV files but not necessarily create them - at least I can't see any option for compressing.