Data Model > Frequently asked questions > Can you create an empty SPSS Statistics .sav file from an .mdd file?
 
Can you create an empty SPSS Statistics .sav file from an .mdd file?
I want to create an SPSS .sav file without any case data based on a questionnaire definition (.mdd) file. Is this possible and if so, how do I do it?
You can do this by connecting to the Data Model using SPSS Statistics SAV DSC and the .mdd file and then running the xp_syncdb extended stored procedure. For example, you could do this in DM Query as follows:
1 In Windows Explorer, go to the folder in which the Visual Basic .NET version of DM Query is installed. By default, this is:
[INSTALL_FOLDER]\IBM\SPSS\DataCollection\7\DDL\Code\Tools\VB.NET\DM Query
2 Double-click the DM Query.exe file.
This opens the DM Query window and the Connection tab in the Data Link Properties dialog box.
3 On the Connection tab in the Data Link Properties dialog box, select Intelligence Metadata Document from the Metadata Type list, and enter the name and location of the .mdd file in the Metadata Location box.
4 Select Open metadata Read/Write.
5 Select IBM SPSS Statistics File (SAV) (read-write) from the Case Data Type list, and enter the name and location of the new .sav file in the Case Data Location box.
6 Click OK.
7 Type EXEC xp_syncdb in the SQL box, and press Enter.
8 Close DM Query.
See also
SPSS Statistics SAV DSC
DM Query
Adding extended stored procedures
EXECUTE: execute stored procedures
Frequently asked questions