Forvalues loop for appending data not working

[Max Belgraver]

Hello,

I'm trying to compile a bunch of excel files into a directory, and I've successfully established the directory but I can't seem to successfully convert the .csv files into .dta files to append them. my code is as follows:

forvalues i = 1/8 {
clear
import delimited 'i'.csv
save 'i'.dta, replace
}

I've tinkered a bit but I can't get any results. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong!

Thank you

[William Lisowski]

To have Stata substitute the value of a local macro

 shortcut

you need to type on your keyboard

 `shortcut'

where the first character is (on an American English keyboard) the "left single quote" beneath the tilde (~) character below the ESC key, and the final character is the usual "single quote" ("apostrophe") just to the left of the RETURN key. Neither of these are "smart quotes" as understood in programs like Microsoft Word, and in particular the first character is correctly titled the "grave accent".

[Max Belgraver]

Thank you for replying quickly! Where should the shortcut be added in my code?

[Clyde Schechter]

No, you misunderstood #2. There is no shortcut to add. The problem with your code in #1 is the use of ordinary single quotes (') to begin a local macro. Your code should be:

forvalues i = 1/8 {
    clear
    import delimited `i'.csv
    save `i'.dta, replace
}