Stata: error factor variables and time-series operators not allowed

Question

I want to export data from Stata into a csv-file: ``` outsheet "$dirLink/analysis.csv", replace comma ``` but I got the following error message: ``` factor variables and time-series operators not allowed r(101); ``` I couldn't find the solution in the net. Thanks for help. Here are the variable definitions: ``` tab0 str1 %9s linkid float %10.0g recid2 float %9.0g recid1 float %10.0g patient1 str28 %28s patient2 str9 %9s totwght int %10.0g status str1 %9s fname str13 %13s sname str13 %13s doby int %10.0g cohort str2 %9s res1 str27 %27s res2 str29 %29s residence str50 %50s facility str22 %22s maxwght int %10.0g ```

Accepted Answer

The syntax should be

```
outsheet using "$dirLink/analysis.csv",  replace comma
```

That is, the word `using` is required. This is documented in the help: no need for an internet search. It is true that the error message is not transparent, because Stata is guessing that you are trying something other than `using` or a variable list, either of which could follow `outsheet`.

P.S. in my answer to your previous question I pointed out that the correct spelling is Stata: see http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/resources/statalist-faq/#spell That's still true.

Stata: error factor variables and time-series operators not allowed

Solution

Problem