importing panel data from excel

[mikela]

hi,
i'm trying to write the command line to import a file structured like the excel here. i have two questions:

1) what type of workfile i need to create before using the import command (assuming i shall be using import), for now i'm using an annual workfile, but not sure it's right

2) when i try something like this

import L:\xxx\MichelaS\xxx\byCountry\AU\database.xlsm range="test" @id bankid @date(year) @destid bankid @date

i get the error "different number of id series provided for source and destination", i don't understand this error message, what are the source and destination ID series? my source ID would be BankID and the destination should also be BankID - yy right?
sorry but it's the first time i try to import data structured as panel.

many thanks
mikela

[EViews Gareth]

The command you have is fine (and works for me, just fine).

Is your copy of EViews up to date?

If so, could you provide the workfile you're importing in to?

[mikela]

my copy is Eviews 8, 64-bit, Jun 19 2013 build (not sure this is the latest).

i don't have a workfile as i create it in the program, so i'm basically running these two lines in my program

wfcreate(wf=australia) y 1999 2014
import L:\DRS\Users\MichelaS\Bankscope\byCountry\AU\panelTest.xlsx range="test" @id bankid @date(year) @destid bankid @date

and i get this error message "Different number of id series provided for source and destination in "IMPORT L:\DRS\....""

is it because the workfile i create is annual? what kind shall i be creating? undated?
thanks for your help!

michela

[EViews Gareth]

The destination workfile (the one you created) does not have a series called bankid

[mikela]

now i found an interim solution but I really don't understand the logic of eviews in creating a workfile and opening a workfile.
Why do you have two commands wfcreate and wfopen, it's just not clear (even though i see they are different commands).

Anyway, if i use the following command:

wfopen(page=AU) "L:\DRS\Users\ccc\Bankscope\byCountry\AU\database.xlsm" range="data"
this works and creates a nice workfile with a page structured as a panel and called AU

Since i need to import several pages (one for each country), if i write

wfopen(page=AU) "L:\DRS\Users\ccc\Bankscope\byCountry\AU\database.xlsm" range="data"
wfopen(page=CA) "L:\DRS\Users\ccc\Bankscope\byCountry\CA\database.xlsm" range="data"

I get two workfiles. So basically each time the program recreates a workfile. Now, my question is:
How do I create several pages in ONE workfile, in which each page would then be AU, CA, etc.? Is there any way i can say wfopen in a given wfile?

In a second step i'll have to merge all pages into one, but then i guess the command will be pageappend, but for now one thing at a time
many thanks!
m

[mikela]

i've got it! i have to use first

wfload "myworkfile"

and then

pageload(page=AU).....

and it adds pages to myworkfile!

thanks anyway!

michela

[EViews Gareth]

I would have thought the best thing to do is just use the import command without creating a workfile before hand.

[mikela]

i tried, but with import i still get an error message regarding the ids somehow...

Actually it also works by using only pageload recursively without opening or i shall say loading a workfile first, it just adds pages to the new workfile created by pageload.