This article will walk you through how to open and save SPSS files using both the full downloadable software and Citrix Workspace. Before getting started, please review the following:
- If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace app on a Mac computer, we recommend reviewing the Adding the Mac Hard Drive to Your Desktop article for steps on making your hard drive easier to find while saving and exporting files.
- If you are a full-time faculty or staff member using a personal device and experience difficulties opening or saving SPSS files through Citrix, you’ll need to utilize the full downloadable version of SPSS instead. See Downloading and Installing SPSS for Doctoral Students for assistance with this process. If you are a full-time faculty or staff member who is using a GCU-issued device, you can use either version of SPSS.
- If you are currently using an older version of Citrix, such as the Citrix Receiver, you can either continue to use that program or update to the newest version. The old version is still compatible with the GCU SPSS Server.
Opening Files in SPSS
There are a few ways to open files in SPSS. When opening SPSS for the first time, you may get a dialog box with several different options.
To open a file from the dialog box, select Open another file from the Recent Files list and click Open.
If you do not see the dialog box, click File > Open > Data.
The Open dialog box will pop up. First select Local Disk (C: Computer Name) or Macintosh HD if you are using a Mac device and do not have Local Disk (C:) as an option. If you are still unable to locate the SPSS folder created within the (C:) drive, it may be its own option to choose. Locate the SPSS (.sav) file you want to open, select the file, and click Open.
NOTE Due to the size of .sav files, they may be uploaded to your course in the .zip file format. You must un-zip these files before opening them in SPSS.
For help using SPSS, be sure to take a look at our SPSS Tutorials.
Saving Files in SPSS
Select the applicable heading below for instructions on how to save your SPSS files. It is important to note that empty SPSS files cannot be saved, regardless of the version or operating system. In order to save your file, there must be a variable in the field.
Windows
To save your document using the downloaded version of SPSS, select File then Save As.
Choose a destination folder from the Look in dropdown menu and give it a title. You can choose a file type from the Save as type dropdown menu. Click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To save your file to your device, click File then Save As.
Within the Look in dropdown menu, locate the _SPSS folder. This may be located on the Local Disk (C: on device name) or This PC. You can choose a file type from the Save as type dropdown menu. Click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If your SPSS assignment includes graphs, charts, or other graphics that you would like to submit to your instructor, you can save the file as an .spv.
To save your SPSS file using the downloaded version of SPSS, navigate to the Output window for your current SPSS document and click File then Save as.
In the Save as window, choose a location to save the file to by clicking the Look in dropdown menu. You can choose a file type from the Save as type drop down menu. When ready, click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To save your file to your device, click File then Save As.
Within the Look in dropdown menu, locate the _SPSS folder, if you created one. If not, select your desired folder located on the Local Disk (C: on device name) or This PC. You can choose a file type from the Save as type dropdown menu. Click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If your SPSS assignment includes graphs, charts, or other graphics that you would like to submit to your instructor, and you are requested to submit your file as a .pdf or .doc you can export your document.
To export your SPSS file using the downloaded version of SPSS, navigate to the Output window for your current SPSS document and click File then Export.
In the Export window, you can choose to export your file as a .pdf or .doc under the Type option.
Next, click Browse. Choose a location to export your file to. When you are ready to export, click Save.
After choosing your location and file type, click OK.
Your file is now exported, you can proceed to submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To export your file to your device, click File then Export.
In the Export window, you can choose to export your file as a .pdf or .doc under the Type option.
Next, click Browse then locate the _SPSS folder, if you created one. If not, select your desired folder on the Local Disk (C: on device name) or This PC. Click Save.
After choosing your location and file type, click OK. Your file is now exported, you can proceed to submit your file to Halo | Learn.
Mac
To save your document using the downloaded version of SPSS, select File then Export and then select Excel.
If asked “How do you want to access files from this application?”, select Read & Write.
Choose a destination folder for the file and give it a title. Click Save when you are ready to save the file.
To save your document using the downloaded version of SPSS, select File then Save As.
Choose a destination folder for the file and give it a title. Click Save when you are ready to save.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To save your file to your device, click File then Save As.
Within the Look in dropdown menu, locate the _SPSS folder, if you created one. If not, select your desired folder on the Local Disk (C: on device name) or This PC. You can choose a file type from the Save as type dropdown menu. Click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If your SPSS assignment includes graphs, charts, or other graphics that you would like to submit to your instructor, you can save the file as a .spv.
To save your SPSS file using the downloaded version of SPSS, navigate to the Output window for your current SPSS document and click File then Save as.
In the Save as window, choose a location to save the file to by clicking the Look in drop down menu. You can choose a file type from the Save as type drop down menu. When ready, click Save.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To save your file to your device, click File then Save As.
In the Save as window, choose a location to save the file. When ready, click Save.
Once saved, you can submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If your SPSS assignment includes graphs, charts, or other graphics that you would like to submit to your instructor, and you are requested to submit your file as a .pdf or .doc you can export your document.
To export your SPSS file using the downloaded version of SPSS, navigate to the Output window for your current SPSS document and click File then Export.
In the Export window, you can choose to export your file as a .pdf or .doc under the Type option.
Next, click Browse. Choose a location to export your file to. When you are ready to export, click Save.
After choosing your location and file type, click OK. Your file is now exported, you can proceed to submit your file to Halo | Learn.
If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Workspace, it is recommended that you have created an _SPSS folder as documented in Using Citrix Workspace.
To export your file to your device, click File then Export.
Next, click Browse. Locate the _SPSS folder, if you created one. This may be located on the Local Disk (C: on device name) or This PC. When you are ready to export, click Save.
After choosing your location and file type, click OK. Your file is now exported, you can proceed to submit your file to Halo | Learn.