The SPSS Program is the gold standard for quantitative analysis and is used by academic institutions pursuing advanced research. The first step to prepare for using SPSS is to download the installation file to your computer. Please select your computer type below for instructions.
You can download SPSS on multiple computers. If you do download it on multiple computers, keep in mind that the licensing code for the program changes every year. We are currently on version 29, and the license code listed in the DC Network can only be used to activate version 29. If you’re using an older version of SPSS, you will need to uninstall it and download the new version. If you have the program downloaded on multiple devices, you will need to update the license on each computer separately.
Please select your computer type below for instructions.
Click the following link to download the SPSS installation file for Windows. If you're presented with options to open or download, select Download.
The download typically takes 3-5 minutes to complete.
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Once the download is complete, you can click on the downloaded file in your browser or you can double-click the install file in your Downloads folder to start the installation process. Additionally, there may be another pop up asking if you want to allow this app to make changes? If you see that prompt, click Yes in order to continue the installation process.
NOTE At this point, SPSS will need to extract the files. In most instances, the extraction screen may disappear and reappear more than once while decompressing. You may need to allow some time for it to continue. -
After the extraction is complete, the InstallShield Wizard will launch. Select Next to continue.
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You will be asked to read the terms of the Software License Agreement. Choose I accept the terms of the license agreement and click Next.
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Choose a destination folder to use for the installation’s location. We recommend using the default folder for this installation. To continue, click Next.
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The InstallShield Wizard will verify the destination folder has sufficient space for the installation. Once the check is complete, you’re ready to begin the installation. Click Install.
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The installation of SPSS may take several minutes to complete.
NOTE The installation time may vary depending on device or speed of network connection. We recommend that your device is plugged in and does not hibernate or shut down during the process. If the process is interrupted during the installation, you may be required to start over. -
When the installation is complete, make sure the box for Start IBM SPSS Statistics Now is checked and click Finish.
After you have SPSS installed on your device, you’ll need to activate SPSS to be able to use it.
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When you open SPSS for the first time a screen will prompt you to activate the software. Select Launch License Wizard.
- On the License Status page, select Next to continue.
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In the Product Authorization window select the option Authorized user license (I purchased a single copy of the product) and click Next.
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The next screen will prompt you to enter a license code. If you do not know the code, click here to log into the DC Network and view them. Alternatively, you can locate the code by logging into the DC Network and selecting Quantitative Software (SPSS) from the Software menu on the left. If you have trouble logging into the DC Network, refer to DC Network Login Information. Once you’ve entered the code, click Add so that it appears in the box below. Then select Next.
NOTE If you are a full-time faculty member, you can access the SPSS license code from the Shared Drive in the CHSS folder.
If you are a staff member who has not been given access to the DC Network but needs to license SPSS software, contact Technical Support. We can provide you with the license code after verifying your information. -
After entering the code, the Internet Authorization Status window will attempt to validate the code over the internet. If successful, it will display the message: Successfully processed all codes. Once it is finished, click Next.
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The Licensing Completed window is the last step to complete the SPSS installation. Simply click Finish and you're all set.
You’re now ready to begin using IBM SPSS Statistics!
Click the following link to download the SPSS installation file for Mac. If you're presented with options to open or download, select Download.
The download typically takes 3-5 minutes to complete.
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Once the download is complete, locate and open the file that you downloaded to begin the installation process.
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The SPSS Statistics install window will open, press Continue.
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You may receive a warning: This is an application downloaded from the Internet. Are you sure you want to open it? If so, click Open.
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Next, you will be able to read the licensing materials, click Continue to proceed.
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Next, you will be able to read the Software License Agreement, select your language and click Continue.
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A screen will appear asking you to agree to the Software License Agreement. Click Agree to continue.
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On the Pre-Installation Summary window, you can review the options you selected. When you’re ready to begin the installation, click Install.
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Next, you may be prompted to enter your Mac administrator username and password. After entering the username and password, click Install Software to continue.
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The installation of SPSS may take several minutes to complete. When the installation is complete, click Close.
NOTE The installation time may vary depending on device or speed of network connection. We recommend that your device is plugged in and does not sleep or shut down during the process. If the process is interrupted during the installation, you may be required to start over.
After you have SPSS installed on your device, you’ll need to activate SPSS to be able to use it.
- To activate SPSS, open the SPSS Statistics program from the IBM SPSS Statistics folder and then select Launch License Wizard.
- SPSS will look for any active licenses. Click Next to add a license to SPSS.
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In the Product Authorization window select the option Authorized user license (I purchased a single copy of the product) and click Next.
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The next screen will prompt you to enter a license code. If you do not know the code, click here to log into the DC Network and view them. Alternatively, you can locate the code by logging into the DC Network and selecting Quantitative Software (SPSS) from the Software menu on the left. If you have trouble logging into the DC Network, refer to DC Network Login Information.
After entering the code, you will need to click the Add button. Once you select add, you can then click on next. -
Next, the Internet Authorization Status window will attempt to validate the code over the internet. If successful, it will display the message: Successfully processed all codes. Once it is finished, click Next.
NOTE If you are a full-time faculty member, you can access the SPSS license code from the Shared Drive in the CHSS folder.
If you are a staff member who has not been given access to the DC Network but needs to license SPSS software, contact Technical Support. We can provide you with the license code after verifying your information. -
The Licensing Completed window is the last step to complete the SPSS installation. Simply click Finish and you're all set.
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16. The Licensing window will close, and the SPSS program is ready to be used. If you still have the installation window open, go ahead and click finish. You may be asked to move the installer to the Trash once the installation is completed. If so, you can click either Keep or Move to Trash, depending on your preference.
You’re now ready to begin using IBM SPSS Statistics! To open SPSS, you can search for SPSS Statistics in Spotlight or locate SPSS Statistics in the IBM folder from your Applications.
For help using SPSS, be sure to take a look at our SPSS Tutorials.
Errors & Troubleshooting
If your authorization failed and you’re getting an Authorization Error, you’ll need to license authorization through email.
- First, click Next
- After clicking Next, you’ll be brought to License Authorization via Email. Click copy on this window.
- When you have your information copied, create an email and paste your information into your email. Do not change or reformat your text in this email.
- Set your subject line as “License Authorization”.
- Send the email to spssls@us.ibm.com
- You’ll receive an email with a new authorization code for you to copy. Be sure to copy the entire code which includes the version and expiration date.
- Go back to the license wizard and enter the code as you did before.
- Click Next and the code should successfully process.
After restarting SPSS, you’ll be able to use the program freely. If you’re still having trouble, however, please reach out to us at GCU Technical Support and we can assist you further!
Unfortunately, there’s a known issue with SPSS on MacOS Sonoma which prevents you from using the software right away. Once SPSS is downloaded and installed on MacOS Sonoma, you will be met with a Server Login Settings page. When attempting to select OK, nothing will happen. To fix this issue, follow the steps listed here.
- Close all instances of SPSS Statistics that may be opened on your device and download the zipped file by clicking this link here.
- Once downloaded, open the Finder app located on your Dock, open your downloads folder, and Unzip the file to access its contents.
NOTE For instructions on how to unzip your files, please visit our How to Zip and Un-Zip Your Files article for further assistance. - Once the zipped folder has been unzipped, in the finder app head to the Applications tab on the left-hand side and open the folder labeled IBM SPSS Statistics.
- Once opened, locate the SPSS Statistics app and right-click, or Control + Click, over the app in the folder. A dropdown menu should appear, select Show Package Contents from the menu.
- A contents folder will appear, open the folder.
- Once the folder is opened, locate the lib folder.
- Once the lib folder is opened, open a second window of the finder app. On the second window of the finder app, locate the unzipped file from before and drag the file named libplatdep.dylib to the lib folder and drop it.
- Once the file has been dropped, you’ll get a pop-up asking what you want to do with the file. Select Replace from the pop-up that appears.
- After the file has been replaced, reopen SPSS Statistics and the issue should be resolved.
If you are still experiencing this issue after completing these steps, please contact GCU Technical Support for further assistance.
If you’re missing the Tree tool from your SPSS, you’ll need to re-license the software with the new code provided in the DC Network. This code was updated on 3/1/2024.
- To start, open your SPSS software.
- Once you have the software opened, click File and then Manage Licenses
- When the Manage License window opens, click Launch License Wizard.
- On the license wizard, select Authorized User License (I purchased a single copy of the product) and then click Next.
- Here you’ll want to enter the license code that’s available on the DC Network and click Add.
- Once the code has been added, click Next.
- Once the authorization has succeeded, click Next.Note: If your Authorization failed, you may need a code emailed to you so you can license your SPSS product. See the accordion I'm Getting the Error: Authorization Failed for steps on emailing yourself an activation code.
- Finally, click Finish.
- You’ll be asked to restart SPSS to let the new license take effect. If you’re ready to restart, click Restart.
- Your SPSS will be re-licensed and you’ll have access to the new Tree Tool under Analyze > Classify > Tree.