Problem with the "Read" Command

[EDRP]

Hello,

I have an excel file saved on a network path (C:\ECONOMIC\Eviews\New_Data.XLS) that I'm trying to read from.

The data is in the third tab of the workbook, the tab is named FIN. On the spreadsheet itself, the data looks like

Code Country Name Mnemonic 1980 etc.
AFG Afghanistan AFG_S_STEXD_IHS #N/A
etc.

In the program file I have the command written as:

Code: Select all

read(t,d2,s=fin) "C:\ECONOMIC\Eviews\New_Data.XLS" 203

However, when I try and run the program, I get an error message that says:

Code: Select all

"No workfile exists- use NEW or OPEN to create or load a workfile in "read(t,d2,s=fin) "C:\ECONOMIC\Eviews\New_Data.XLS" 203"

If I replace the read command with open, then it tells me the file is not found. What's going on here? What mistakes might I be making?

[EViews Gareth]

Have you already created a workfile prior to using the READ command?

[EDCRP]

Not in this version of the program, no.

[EViews Gareth]

The READ command is used to bring data into an existing workfile, hence the error message.