File types for Spotfire Statistica®

 Spreadsheet   

The native representation of the data table. Once the data are imported into Statistica, they are transformed to this format.

Additional info:

• The extension of this file type after saving is .sta
• Every data table inside Statistica is in this format.
• Analyses and graphs can be constructed only if they are run on this file format
• As a part of the file format (apart from the data values) other metadata is included such as variable types, long names, text labels, formatting, bundles and case states.
• The spreadsheet can be part of the Workspace object (visual workflow object).
• The spreadsheet can be exported to Excel, csv, txt, sbdf, and other formats.

 Graph 

The native representation of the graphical output. Fully editable static graph object.

Additional info:

• Extension of this file format after saving is .stg
• In addition to visual representation on the screen being stored, this format also stores all the settings, formatting, and styles (when you open the graph file inside Statistica, you can further change all these settings and therefore change the look of the graph).
• Graph object also has underlying data or parameters needed to construct the graph embedded in the object (user can see this representation after right click on the graph and going to Graph Data Editor).
• Statistica graphs can be embedded into MS Office documents as active objects (this means that after double click on the graph in MS Word, for example, it will open the graph in Statistica and the user can edit it).
• Users can export graphs into pdf, jpeg of different resolutions, gif, tiff,...

 Workspace   

The purpose of this object is to create and store all the analyses and settings of the whole data analysis process in the form of an executable visual workflow.

Additional info:

• The extension of this file type is .sdm
• Used as the main object for storing data analysis processes.
• Can be run and creates various output results including tables, graphs, models, etc. What is output depends on how the workflow is constructed and what methods have been used in it.
• Be aware that intermediate or final results are not stored in this object i.e. the object acts as a record of the process flow (effectively in a type of script form) but it does not act as a container for results
• Spreadsheets can be added inside the workspace and are the only object which could be embedded into the workspace (if you right-click on the node with the spreadsheet, there is the option Embed Document on Save which is controlling if the spreadsheet is saved inside the Workspace or not. 
• More details about this important graphical programming environment can be found here.

 Workbook

A workbook is a container of the results/outputs in the form of three structures of folders. 

Additional info:

• The extension of this file type is .stw
• It is possible to change folder structure, create new folders, import new objects, rename objects, copy objects from one workbook to another workbook, and extract separate objects.
• Spreadsheets, graphs, reports, workspaces, models, macros, etc. can be stored in the workbook
• If the user is working in an interactive mode (triggering analysis from the menu and getting results from them), then by default all the results are output into a workbook.
• In each workspace, there is a node called Reporting Documents which is an example of a workbook with the results from all the nodes. Each node has its own folder according to its name.

 Report

This is a native form of word processing document inside Statistica, you can create a file with outputs as well as text annotations. 

Additional info:

• The extension of this file type is .str
• Tables and graphs can be exported into the report object.
• In Enterprise meta-repository, you can create an object called Report. This acts as a template form of a report and is based on the results selected from a workspace reporting document workbook. This report template can then be scheduled to run the workspace and create/save and/or email the outputted report based on actual data.
• The report can be saved as html, pdf, XML, or sent to MS Word.

 Macro

Macro is executable code in the form of a script. Inside the platform, users can utilize codes from R, Python, C#, or Spark but when we are talking about native files for Statistica we are talking about macro in SVB code (Statistica Visual Basic). In most circumstances, workspaces will be used without the need to code but a macro can be used to do some further customization if required. 

Additional info:

• The extension of this file type is .svb
• Can be recorded (each separate analysis has the possibility to produce a macro and also you can record your interactive work in the software and create a macro from it - go to Tools->Macro->Start Recording Log of Analyses).
• If you are doing changes in the graph look through Graph Options there is a checkbox called Record macro. If this recording is enabled all the graph changes done in Graph Options will be recorded. 
• Can be embedded into the workspace via Statistica Visual Basic Script Node.

 Project

This file stores all the work opened in the client. This means all opened files and analyses at the time of saving the project. 

Additional details:

• The extension of this file type is .spf
• The project can be saved through the option File->Project->Save (so not by classical saving buttons).
• You can define the project which will open every time you open the tool.
• Usable when you need to stop working on the tool and later come back, picking up where you finished.

How to work with different file types

The most common file format you will work with is the workspace. As this is the recording of all the steps done in the data analysis process. In each node of the workspace, the table output is in the form of a spreadsheet file type. Graphical outputs are in the form of graph file format. Each workspace is also producing a Reporting Documents Workbook, which is a container of all the results. If you want to review results later, it is recommended to save the Reporting Document workbook together with the underlying workspace.  If you want to present the results, typically you will pick the most relevant outputs from the resulting workbook and create a report with only relevant outputs, and additional insert comments and findings (if you are doing the one-off report, you can use the option in menu Home->Add to Report. If you want to have the same report template every time the workspace is run with the same type of output and narration, you can create a report template object inside the Enterprise meta-repository and schedule a report to be run at specified times). 

The macro can play a role in the customization of outputs within the workspace or in doing special coding tasks.

Tips and Tricks

• If you have a spreadsheet opened inside the tool and want to start building the workspace on this data, go to Home->Add to Workspace.
• It is a good practice to save the resulting Reporting Documents workbook along with the workspace.
• Inside the workbook, you can also save the workspace file (as well as the report file). In that way, everything will be together in one file (use option Home-> Add to Workbook)
• When saving the graph as a jpeg, there is an optional setting to define the resolution (dpi) of the final image.
• The whole folder from the workbook can be dragged and dropped into the report and all objects will be transferred into the report.
• If you copy (ctrl+C) a graph or a table from Workbook, you can paste it (ctrl+V) into MS Office products.
• Separate objects outside the workbook can be sent directly into MS Word using the Home->Add to Word option (Word window will be opened inside Statistica). This includes the whole report moved into Word with one button.

Relevant links

• Statistica Workspace - a graphical UI - Statistica Workspace introduction
• Most important nodes in Statistica Workspaces
• Statistica Data Function in Spotfire
• Statistica terms and shortcuts
• Spotfire Statistica® Enablement Hub