IMPORT

IMPORT
        /FILE='FILE_NAME'
        /TYPE={COMM,TAPE}
        /DROP=VAR_LIST
        /KEEP=VAR_LIST
        /RENAME=(SRC_NAMES=TARGET_NAMES)...

The IMPORT transformation clears the active dataset dictionary and data and replaces them with a dictionary and data from a system file or portable file.

IMPORT is obsolete and retained only for compatibility with existing portable files. New syntax should use SAVE to write system files instead, and GET to read them.

The FILE subcommand, which is the only required subcommand, specifies the portable file to be read as a file name string or a file handle.

The TYPE subcommand is currently not used.

DROP, KEEP, and RENAME follow the syntax used by GET.

IMPORT does not cause the data to be read; only the dictionary. The data is read later, when a procedure is executed.

Use of IMPORT to read a system file is a PSPP extension.