Import data after creating a workfile

[tmr81]

Hello there,

I have a panel data workfile in eviews 5.1 (dated panel, 1985-2005), and I want to include a variable that only has the year 1960. When using the Import > fetch from xls option, eviews tells me that my identifier variable already exists and has a different form.

anybody a clue how to get the data into the workfile? or do i make a general mistake and a single-year variable cannot be included into a panel?

(btw, the variable i am talking about is GDP_1960, which shall correct the estimation for initial wealth of a country, when measuring what predicts GDP in 2005. i believe this is standart in economic analysis.)

thanks, torben

[EViews Gareth]

Two ways to do this...

You'll either have to make it into a panel format inside Excel (i.e. repeat the data over and over for every cross-section), or bring it into EViews first into a non-panel workfile (i.e. just a workfile that has the cross-sections, no dates), then copy it from the cross-section page to the panel page. EViews will then do the repeating for you.

[tmr81]

Thanks Gareth,

Just for clarification: I use the value for, say, Angola GDP_1960 and place it into my excel file for all values of Angola from 1985 to 2005? Always the same value?

Appreciate an answer.

Best regards, Torben

[EViews Gareth]

Yep, if you have a variable that will have the same value for all years or cross-sections, then, yes, you need to repeat it.