Message to be displayed when opening a dataset

[Francesco Molteni]

dear all,
is there a way to create a message to be displayed when a certain dataset is opening? Something to easily share i.e some information about the dataset variables with colleagues?

thank you!!
Francesco Molteni

[Nick Cox]

Sure. You can write a command that opens a dataset and then displays whatever you want, including links to other material.

Another method is to write a help file that has information on a dataset. Help files don't have to be linked to commands.

Another is to put explanatory text in notes and then explain to people how to use notes.

Personal opinion: The more your users (colleagues, students, bosses, whoever) know about Stata the more likely they are to absorb new commands, and conversely. If you're not yet programming yourself, use standard features to explain to others.

[Robert Picard]

If it's just a simple description, then label data can store up to 80 characters and this label will be displayed when the dataset is opened.

[Francesco Molteni]

Thank you Nick and Robert,
I've already tried label data, notes and of course putting everything in a dofile to be used also for opening the dataset. The point is that I was looking fo something more immediate. Creating an help file could be a good compromise,

thanks!

Francesco