Saving SPSS files – GCU Technical Support

Only certain file types can be uploaded into LoudCloud. This restriction exists to ensure that your instructors can properly view your assignments. The default file types when saving in SPSS are .sav for data files and .spv for graphical files; however, these file types are NOT an accepted by LoudCloud. To upload your SPSS assignment, you simply need to save the file as a different type. For more information on the supported file types, check out our article that covers the acceptable file formats.

Select the applicable heading below for instructions on how to save your SPSS files.

Saving SPSS Data Files

In order to upload your SPSS assignment to LoudCloud, you will need to first save your document as a .xlsx file.

To save your document, select File > Save As...

Choose a destination folder for the file within the Save Data As box and give it a title. Click, the dropdown for Save as Type, select Excel 2007 through 2010 (*.xlsx), and click Save.

NOTE If you wish to save your progress and continue to edit the data file later on, change the Save as Type to SPSS Statistics (*.sav), and click Save. The .sav file will allow for editing when opened through SPSS.

Once saved, you will be able to upload the .xlsx version of your assignment to LoudCloud. For more information, check out our article on Submitting your Assignments to LoudCloud.

NOTE If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Receiver, be sure that you have created an _spss folder as documented in How do I access SPSS without installing it? The destination folder that you will choose after selecting File > Save As is the _SPSS folder that was created on Local Disk (C:).

If you experience difficulties locating the _SPSS folder on a Mac computer, click here for instructions on adding the folder to your desktop.

Saving SPSS Files with Graphics

If your SPSS assignment includes graphs, charts, or other graphics that you would like to submit to your instructor, you can export your document as a .PDF file type or a .doc file type, which are also accepted by LoudCloud.

To export your SPSS file, navigate to the Output window for your current SPSS document and click File > Export.

In the Export window, choose a destination to save the file to by clicking Browse. You may also chose the file type from the Type section. When you are ready to save, click OK.

Once saved, you will be able to upload the .PDF or .doc version of your assignment to LoudCloud.

NOTE If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Receiver, be sure that you have created an _spss folder as documented in How do I access SPSS without installing it? If you experience difficulties locating the _spss folder on a Mac computer, click here for instructions on adding the folder to your desktop.

Saving SPSS Files on a Mac - Citrix Receiver

If you are using SPSS through the Citrix Receiver, any files you would like to save should be placed in the _SPSS folder that was created before installing Citrix. The _SPSS folder is located in your computer’s main drive. On Mac computers, we suggest adding the mac hard drive to your desktop for easier access. Once the Mac hard drive has been added to your desktop, follow the steps below to save SPSS files to that location.

If you are ready to save your SPSS file, click either File > Save As (if you are saving a .xlsx) or File > Export (if you are saving as a .doc or .pdf) depending on the type of file you created.

If you are exporting the file, click Browse from the output window.

Choose a destination folder by clicking the drop down arrow next to Look in. Choose your Desktop, and look for Local Disk (C:).

NOTE Your Mac Hard Drive may appear under various names, but will always start with Local Disk (C:).

Select the Users folder.

Choose your user profile. This usually includes your name in its title.

Select Desktop from the list of available folders.

Here you will see the _SPSS folder. Click on this folder and enter a title for your file name. Then click Save.

Your file is now saved in the correct folder, and you can upload your assignment to LoudCloud as needed.