Estimation output

Once you've specified a model, a window displaying the regression output will appear. The output is reasonably comprehensive and in a standard format (Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4. Model output window

The output window contains menus that allow you to inspect or graph the residuals and fitted values, and to run various diagnostic tests on the model.

For most models there is also an option to reprint the regression output in LaTeX format. You can print the results in a tabular format (similar to what's in the output window, but properly typeset) or as an equation, across the page. For each of these options you can choose to preview the typeset product, or save the output to file for incorporation in a LaTeX document. Previewing requires that you have a functioning TeX system on your computer. You can control the appearance of gretl's LaTeX output using a file named gretlpre.tex, which should be placed in your gretl user directory (see Chapter 12). If a file of this name is found, its contents will be used as the LaTeX "preamble". The default value of the preamble is as follows:


      \documentclass[11pt]{article}
      \usepackage[latin1]{inputenc}
      \usepackage{amsmath}
      \usepackage{dcolumn}
      \begin{document}
      \thispagestyle{empty}

Note that the amsmath and dcolumn packages are required.

To import gretl output into a word processor, you may copy and paste from an output window, using its Edit menu (or Copy button, in some contexts) to the target program. Many (not all) gretl windows offer the option of copying in RTF (Microsoft's "Rich Text Format") or as LaTeX. If you are pasting into a word processor, RTF may be a good option because the tabular formatting of the output is preserved.[1] Alternatively, you can save the output to a (plain text) file then import the file into the target program. When you finish a gretl session you are given the option of saving all the output from the session to a single file.

Note that on the gnome desktop and under MS Windows, the File menu includes a command to send the output directly to a printer.

Tip: When pasting or importing plain text gretl output into a word processor, select a monospaced or typewriter-style font (e.g. Courier) to preserve the output's tabular formatting. Select a small font (10-point Courier should do) to prevent the output lines from being broken in the wrong place.

Notes

[1]

Note that when you copy as RTF under MS Windows, Windows will only allow you to paste the material into applications that "understand" RTF. Thus you will be able to paste into MS Word, but not into notepad. Note also that there appears to be a bug in some versions of Windows, whereby the paste will not work properly unless the "target" application (e.g. MS Word) is already running prior to copying the material in question.