= Stata Log =

The '''`log`''' command records commands and command output, and writes them to a log file.

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== Usage ==



=== Rich Logs ===

Stata supports a rich log format, using the `.smcl` file extension.

{{{
log using "path/to/file.smcl", replace
log close
}}}



=== Text Logs ===

Use the '''`text`''' option.

{{{
log using "path/to/file.txt", replace text
log close
}}}

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== Temporarily Disabling Logging ==

Some output should not be recorded. Try:

{{{
log off
display "Rather than running commands quietly, temporarily turn off logging.
log on
}}}

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== Stored Results ==

`log` stores the following details:

 * log name in `r(name)`
 * log filename in `r(filename)`
 * logging status (on or off) in `r(status)`
 * log type (smcl or text) in `r(type)`

`log query _all` stores the number of open logs in `r(numlogs)`. For each open log, it stores the above details as e.g. `r(name1)`, `r(name2)`, and so on.

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== See also ==

[[https://www.stata.com/manuals/rlog.pdf|Stata manual for log]]

[[https://www.stata.com/manuals/u15.pdf|Stata manual chapter 15: Saving and printing output-log files]]



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