How to import dbf file into sas

[Kayla_Tan222]

Hi,

I want to import a dbf file which I created from vfoxpro into sas.

Here's my code below

proc import datafile = '\C:\Data\PL\DBF\PL.dbf'

out= pm.Plcm

REPLACE

dbms = dbf;

the system keep saying non-supported file is specified. How can I do with this problem?

[ChrisNZ]

Why does the file have a CSV extension?

If it is a CSV file, use the CSV engine:

dbms=csv

[PGStats]

The data file type should match the DBMS= request. Try DBMS=CSV.

[heffo]

Is the file a CSV file or a dbf file? Your code indicates that it is a csv file. Verify what happens if you try to open the file in notepad or similar program. 

I don't know but I found this text:

Note:

To import DBF files created with Microsoft Visual FoxPro, you must export to an appropriate dBASE format using Visual FoxPro. Import the dBASE file to SAS.

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/acpcref/63184/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a003102096.htm

[Kayla_Tan222]

Sorry, its a typo. the actual code is below with .dbf

proc import datafile = '\C:\Data\PL\DBF\PL.dbf'

out= pm.Plcm

REPLACE

dbms = dbf;

I unable to get the result. WHat wrong with this code?

[PGStats]

SAS ability to import from DBF files is part of SAS/ACCESS, which requires a separate licence.

You could try importing the DBF into MS-Excel or MS-Access and exporting the data as a CSV. Importting from CSVs is included in Base SAS.

[Kayla_Tan222]

i have tried to export my dbf file to excel csv in vfoxpro, but then my records was too much, the excel only store some of the records but not all.

[ChrisNZ]

> my records was too much, the excel only store some of the records but not all.

This is  unclear. There is no limit to the amount of data a CSV file can store. Even if Excel cannot read it all, it's there.

[Kayla_Tan222]

For ex:
I have 1000 data in vfox
However when i export it to excel it only has 500 data in excel after i export it

[SASKiwi · Accepted solution]

Submit this - proc setinit; run; -  to confirm if SAS/ACCESS Interface to PC Files is licensed or not and - proc product_status; run - to confirm if it is installed.

If this product is installed then reading DBF files should be possible.

[Kurt_Bremser]

Creating csv files in MS Visual Foxpro is very simple:

USE some.dbf

COPY TO some.csv TYPE CSV

(taken from https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/9e68b095-83f5-40d4-a764-d1d1dd8ff140/convert-foxpro-t...)

Then you just inspect the file with a proper editor (eg notepad++) to see the structure and content. From that, write the necessary data step. No license beyond Base needed.

[heffo]

Can you verify that the file is actually a dbf file? E.g. try to import it back to vfoxpro.