# I do not understand why I sometimes get zeroes for the CPSIDP variable rather than the 14 digit field that hopeful **URL:** \ **Category:** CPS\ **Created:** [February 18, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-do-not-understand-why-i-sometimes-get-zeroes-for-the-cpsidp-variable-rather-than-the-14-digit-field-that-hopeful/1214 "2016-02-18T19:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jciecka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@jciecka](https://forum.ipums.org/u/jciecka)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-do-not-understand-why-i-sometimes-get-zeroes-for-the-cpsidp-variable-rather-than-the-14-digit-field-that-hopeful/1214/1 "2016-02-18T19:45:00Z")
I am sure that I did something stupid but am unable to figure out what I did wrong. I have successfully downloaded CPS data for 15 variables for April 2013 and April 2014. I was able to match individual respondent in 2013 and 2014 using the CPSIDP variable and checking LINENO, SEX, and RACE for consistency. I found the CPSIDP variable very useful. Here is my question. When I try to do the same thing but with the August 2013 and August 2014 files, I get zeroes for the CPSIDP variable in 2014. The same problem occurs when trying to link the December 2013 and December 2014 files. As I said, I am sure I did something wrong or I simply am not understanding something very basic. Any help would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Moreland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f1d935/32.png) [@Tim\_Moreland](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Tim_Moreland)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-do-not-understand-why-i-sometimes-get-zeroes-for-the-cpsidp-variable-rather-than-the-14-digit-field-that-hopeful/1214/2 "2016-02-22T21:25:00Z")
The zero values for CPSID/CPSIDP in August and December 2014 are a known error in the IPUMS-CPS data. We plan to release corrected data within the next month. Hope this helps.