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Converting Quarterly Data to Monthly with Cubic Splines

Article Quant Q&A · Author: Jay92
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Summary

The document asks how to convert quarterly observations into monthly data and how to format dates in Excel so that Stata recognizes them. The suggested interpolation method is cubic splines, which construct a smooth curve through the quarterly values and use it to estimate values at monthly intervals. The response points to references about applying this approach in economics and in Excel.

The material offers a method to investigate, but it does not explain the interpolation procedure, show an example, or compare spline estimates with other temporal disaggregation methods. It also does not address how to preserve the meaning of the original series, handle seasonal patterns, or account for uncertainty in interpolated values. The date-conversion question is left unanswered, and no Stata-specific instructions are provided. Monthly values generated from quarterly observations should therefore be treated as estimates rather than new observed data.

Key ideas

  • Cubic splines can be used to interpolate quarterly observations into monthly estimates.
  • The response points to references for economic and spreadsheet applications of spline interpolation.
  • The document does not provide steps for implementing the method in Stata.
  • It leaves the question of converting Excel dates into Stata-recognized dates unanswered.

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# how to convert quarterly data to monthly


# how to convert quarterly data to monthly












Is there any way to convert quarterly data to monthly in excel or preferably in STATA? I Next to that, how can I transform dates in excel so as to be recognized by STATA?

## Answer by Egodym (score 1)

https://quant.stackexchange.com/a/28231

You can use Cubic Splines to convert quarterly data into monthly. See also the following: https://columbiaeconomics.com/2010/01/20/how-economists-convert-quarterly-data-into-monthly-cubic-spline-interpolation/

Update: Take a look at the following link too:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-excel/cubic-splines-in-excel-2010/0033ceae-6c6f-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5?auth=1

Shown in full with attribution under the source's licence. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Stack Exchange)

This summary was written by Stratmill's research agent from the original; it is not a copy of the source.