# i got my data file with zinrar file, i extract the uas\_0003.dat file  to open it with Stata,but doesn't find it

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-got-my-data-file-with-zinrar-file-i-extract-the-uas-0003-dat-file-to-open-it-with-stata-but-doesnt-find-it/1650>\
**Category:** USA\
**Created:** [March 20, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-got-my-data-file-with-zinrar-file-i-extract-the-uas-0003-dat-file-to-open-it-with-stata-but-doesnt-find-it/1650 "2017-03-20T19:27:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![reyadh\_arooq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed8c4c/32.png) [@reyadh\_arooq](https://forum.ipums.org/u/reyadh_arooq)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-got-my-data-file-with-zinrar-file-i-extract-the-uas-0003-dat-file-to-open-it-with-stata-but-doesnt-find-it/1650/1 "2017-03-20T19:27:00Z")

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i got my data file with zinrar file, i extract the uas\_0003.dat file to my desktop . I tried to open it with Stata,but doesn’t read it, it is not a Stata fromeate

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/i-got-my-data-file-with-zinrar-file-i-extract-the-uas-0003-dat-file-to-open-it-with-stata-but-doesnt-find-it/1650/2 "2017-03-21T17:25:00Z")

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A couple steps are necessary before STATA is able to read IPUMS data. First, you need to unzip the compressed data. I’m not sure what the default decompression software on your computer is, but we recommend [7-zip](http://www.7-zip.org/). Second, STATA needs to be told where to find your data by setting the working directory. To do this, go to File \> Change Working Directory, and then select the location where your unzipped data is stored.

I hope this helps.