The available variables in the file are listed in the box at the left side of the dialog box.  If you want to 

import all variables, i.e. all data in the file, then select the 

A

LL

 button. If you do not want to import all 

variables, then select the names of the variables you require by clicking the variables' names.  The names 

of the selected variables are displayed in reverse.  To unselect a selected variable, click it again. By 

selecting the 

N

ONE

 button, you can cancel the selections. 

After you have finished selecting the variables, click the 

OK

 button.  When you select the 

C

ANCEL

 button, 

the procedure will be aborted. 

Import DBase file 

The file type DBase file must be used when you want to import a database file (with file name extension 

DBF) created by DBase III+ and compatible programs. 

After you have selected the file name in the File selector box, select the names of the fields to be imported 

in MedCalc using the Select variables dialog box (see Import SPSS file). 

After you have finished selecting the variables, click the 

OK

 button.  When you select the 

C

ANCEL

 button, 

the procedure will be aborted. 

In DBase files missing values are often coded by the maximum value possible in the corresponding field 

(column).  E.g. in a field with a maximum number of characters (field width) of 3, the number 999 will 

indicate a missing value.  The number 9999 will be used to code missing values in a field with width of 4 

characters, etc.  After you have imported the DBase file, you must check whether this is the case.  If it is, 

you can use the Find & Replace procedure (see p. 29) to clear the cells containing these missing values. 

E.g. after you have imported the DBase file, you can open the spreadsheet window and inspect the data.  

When you see any values 999 in a column with a width of 3 characters, then this almost certainly means 

that missing values for this variable are indeed coded as 999. You can place the cell pointer in the top row 

of this column, select the Find & replace option in the Edit menu, and enter the following in the dialog box: 

The Replace with field is left blank because in MedCalc missing values are indicated by an empty, blank, 

cell.  After clicking the 

OK

 button, all 999 codes will be erased in the column. 

If missing values in the DBase file were coded with a different number, for example 0, you can take a 

similar approach, but you will have to be careful not to confuse the genuine 0 values with the missing value 

code 0. 

Import Lotus file 

Data files created by Lotus123 and Symphony can be imported in MedCalc using the Lotus file format.  

Files created by version 1A of Lotus123 have the extension WKS, version 2 files have the extension WK1. 

However, you should consider the following limitations when importing a Lotus123 file: 

  not all Lotus123 functions are implemented in MedCalc; 

  Lotus123 cell attributes and formats are ignored. 

If the Lotus spreadsheet contains formulas that are not supported by MedCalc, it is recommended that you 

use the Lotus commands Range Value (/RV) to convert the formulas into values, before you import the file 

in MedCalc. 

SYLK and DIF files 

MedCalc can import SYLK (Symbolic Link Format) and DIF (Data Interchange format) files. 

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