I think Nick is most likely right. Try the command:
-list my_problem_var if strpos(my_problem_var,char(160))>0-
where my_problem_var is the variable with the persistent spaces. If
you get a listing you can then use:
-replace my_problem_var = subinstr(my_problem_var,char(160),"",.)-
to clean the spaces.
ASCII 32 is the normal space as Nick indicated. The only other space
character is ASCII 160 the "no break space." Any other "exotic
characters"* show up as a vertical rectangle.
DCE
*excepting statalisters, the original exotic characters
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
