Doubts about regression analysis on panel data with non-continuous years

[Xi Zhang]

Dear all,
I have two data, one for 280 cities in 2012, 2015 as well as 2017, can I use such data to form a panel data to analyze with xtreg y x i.year, fe r regression? My concern is that the years are small and not continuous. Is there any risk or issues to consider if I do this? Also is there any better journals that have published papers with data like this?
My other data is for 260 cities for the years 2005, 2010 and 2015, can I use xtreg y x i.year,fe r regression analysis for such data?

[Carlo Lazzaro]

Xi:
welcome to this forum.
Having gaps in panel data is not an issue for Stata.
I would be much more concerned about your single predictor (I doubt that any decent scientific journal would ever accept a simple panel data regression).
The -timevar- of your first panel data regression looks more reasonable to me.