About Redatam
What is Redatam and who is it for?
REDATAM (REtrieval of DATa for Small Areas by Microcomputer) is free software developed by CELADE — Population Division of ECLAC since 1985. It processes microdata from censuses, surveys and administrative records on hierarchical geographic structures, producing statistical information for any area defined in the database — from the national level down to the census block.
It is designed for national statistics institutes, ministries, research centers, academics and public policy makers who need access to microdata while preserving confidentiality.
Is Redatam free software? What license does it have?
Yes. Redatam has been free and open since its first release in 1985. It is developed and maintained by CELADE/ECLAC with support from the United Nations and German technical cooperation (GIZ). There are no licensing fees for national institutes, academic institutions or individual users.
What is the difference between Redatam Desktop, Redatam Webserver and RedatamX?
- RedatamX is the current generation (2024+), cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS) and also available as an R package. It is gradually replacing Redatam7.
- Redatam7 (Desktop) is the 6th generation for Windows. Final stable version: 3.4.2 (March 2021).
- Redatam Webserver lets institutions disseminate microdata online with an interactive web interface, without requiring the end user to install any software.
Installation and use
Which operating systems does Redatam run on?
RedatamX runs on Windows (64-bit), Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+) and macOS. It can also be used as an R package (install.packages("redatamx")) on any system with R 4.3 or higher. Redatam7 only runs on Windows (32-bit).
Do I need an internet connection to use Redatam?
No. RedatamX and Redatam7 work fully offline once installed. Internet is only needed to download the software, the databases and to process microdata online via Redatam Webserver.
How do I install the redatamx package in R?
From the R console, run:
install.packages("redatamx")New updates are released on CRAN. If you need a specific version (e.g. 1.1.3 for R 4.5.0), download the ZIP from Applications to download.
What do I do if I get the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll missing error during install?
Your system needs to update a Microsoft dependency. Download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable from the official Microsoft link and re-run the Redatam installer.
Data and processing
Where can I download census microdata?
The public microdata catalogue is at Microdata, organized by country and year. To process them online without downloading, visit Online processing.
Can I process my own institution's data with Redatam?
Yes. Redatam Create (included in RedatamX and Redatam7) lets you build hierarchical databases from flat files in SPSS, CSV, DBF and other formats. Technical manuals are at Documentation.
Is the data published through Redatam anonymized?
Yes. National statistics institutes that publish microdata via Redatam Webserver apply anonymization processes and statistical confidentiality controls. Redatam includes specific tools (BeforeAfter, Gini, others) to validate data protection before dissemination.
Support and community
Who do I contact for technical support?
Write to redatam@cepal.org with your inquiry. Bug reports should include: Redatam version, operating system, problem description and, if possible, a screenshot. You can also use the contact form.
Are there in-person or virtual training sessions on Redatam?
CELADE organizes annual workshops and on-demand training for national institutes and research centers. Course announcements are published in News and in the Redatam Informa bulletin, available in Documentation.
Where do I report a bug or improvement suggestion?
By email to redatam@cepal.org, clearly stating that it is a bug report or suggestion. The development team prioritizes reports by impact and incorporates them into cumulative updates (identified by Version and Revision numbers).