2009-10 statistics derived from ILR data for monitoring and allocation of funding in FECs

1. Do we have to make a response to the 2009-10 derived statistics exercise?

An e-mail was sent to heads of colleges and HEIFES contacts on 8 April 2011 to inform colleges if we require a response.

Back to top

2. I cannot open the individualised file as a .csv file.

See the guide to working with individualised files.

Back to top

3. I keep losing the leading zeros in my amendment files.

If the file was created in Excel, make sure that the column that has leading zeros is in the Text format. When saving the file, save it as a .csv file, making sure to preserve the .csv features. If the file was created in a text editor such as Notepad, save it as a .csv file. When re-opening the file in Excel, Excel will drop the leading zeros from the number. This can be prevented by opening the file in a text editor. Otherwise, go through the following steps to open the files in Excel but still keep the leading zeros and number formats:

1. Make sure the '.csv' file is renamed so it has a '.txt' extension so that Excel starts the Text Import Wizard.
2. Within Excel, open the amendment file (renamed file in step 1).
3. Make sure the 'Delimited' choice is selected, then click on 'Next'. Excel displays the Step 2 of 3 dialog box.
4. Make sure 'Comma' is selected as a delimiter, then click 'Next'. Excel displays the Step 3 of 3 dialog box. The data in your '.txt' file should be displayed at the bottom of the dialog box, including any leading zeros in your fields.
5. At the bottom of the dialog box, click on the field that has leading zeros. The entire column should now be selected.
6. In the 'Column Data Format' area, make sure the 'Text' radio button is selected.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for any other fields that have leading zeros.
8. Click 'Finish'. Your file is imported, with leading zeros still intact.

Back to top

4. How do I view the data for my college?

Data files can be accessed from the HEFCE extranet. Before you are able to access the HEFCE extranet site, you will need to have registered. Instructions on how to access the HEFCE extranet are provided in the guide on how to access outputs. You will require an 'organisation key' and a 'group key'. Details of the group key were provided in the derived statistics exercise release letter sent on 8 April 2011 to heads of colleges and HEIFES contacts. Please contact Ewa Wawrzynska if you require an organisation key.

Back to top

5. How do I view the data in the individualised file?

See the guide on working with individualised files.

Back to top

6. How can I identify the number of potentially inaccurate records in the ILR credibility sheet from the individualised file?

In the individualised file, select the fields detailed in the 'population definition' and 'credibility test' columns of the credibility sheet.

Back to top

7. How do I submit amendments to HEFCE?

The college must first submit an action plan, further guidance is provided in the guide to action plans. Links are provided in this guide to the processes for submitting amendments.

Back to top

8. When I try to use the 'Select datasets' , 'Select ILR fields' or 'Select derived fields' buttons on the action plan I get a Visual Basic error. How can I fix this?

In Excel, go to 'Tools, Macro, Visual Basic Editor'. Then go to 'Tools, References'. The first five tick boxes should be ticked. If next to one of the first five tick boxes there is the text 'Missing', then untick the box, close Excel, then open again. You should find that all five boxes are then ticked and none say 'Missing'.

Back to top

9. Where there are changes marked as 'Errors in the LAD' in the Action plan, who do we contact?

See the guide on how to submit overrides to LAD fields.

Back to top