Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get technical support for SEER*Stat or submit a bug report?
Please refer to the Technical Support page in the online help system for details.
How can I change the font or font size in the Result window?
You can change the font or font size in the Result window in both versions of SEER*Stat.
- In SEER*Stat 8.4.x, use the Font option under the Matrix menu.
- In SEER*Stat Beta 9.0.x, use the Font button in the toolbar.
These options will open a dialog that allows you to choose the font settings for the display. These font settings will be used in the matrix and in printing. See Features of a Results Matrix for more information.
How can I change the font or font size in the Session window?
You cannot change the font used in the Session window in SEER*Stat specifically, but you can change the text size displayed in all your apps. This is done through your Windows settings. To change the size of text in your apps:
1. Select the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen.
2. Scroll up and select Settings.
3. In Settings, there are two locations to choose from.
  1. Select "Ease of Access", and on the Display tab, use "Make Everything Bigger" option to increase the size of your screens.
  2. Select "System", and on the Display tab, use the "Scale and layout" option to increase the size of your screens.

Local and Client-Server Mode

What is client-server mode? Why would I use it?
SEER*Stat can operate in one of two modes, "local" and "client-server". In local mode, all processing and data are local to your PC environment; that is, your PC performs all calculations, and the program and data files are stored on the PC's hard drive or your local network. In client-server mode, the SEER*Stat software installed on your PC is the client and contacts the SEER server via the Internet to access data and perform calculations.

In order to access SEER Research Data, you must use SEER*Stat in Client-Server Mode. Downloading the data files and storing them on your local computer is no longer an option, starting with the 1975-2017 SEER Research Data. You also automatically receive new releases of the SEER*Stat program in client-server mode.

You can use Local Mode when performing calculations on your own data stored on your computer or network. Note that if using SEER*Stat in local mode, new releases of SEER*Stat can be downloaded.
How can I switch from client-server to local mode in SEER*Stat?
If you have access to local data, you must add a local address to the Data Location in SEER*Stat Preferences. Specifically, the Data Location must point to the folder containing the "database.ini" file.
1. Start SEER*Stat.
2. Select Preferences from the Profiles menu.
3. Click Add Local and browse to the data folder on your where you saved your data. Your new data location will be added to the list. By default, it will be at the bottom of the list, and will be active.
For more information on how to analyze your own data in SEER*Stat, see the SEER*Prep Software, used to convert your data to the file format required by SEER*Stat.
Why are there two release schedules for SEER*Stat Updates in client-server mode: Update and Delayed Update?
There are two release schedules to accommodate those users whose organization requires their IT department to approve the new version of SEER*Stat before installing it. By signing up for e-mail update alerts and choosing Delayed Update, users give their IT staff sufficient time to review and approve the software before it is automatically updated.
SEER*Stat tried to auto-update in client-server mode but my IT staff had not approved the new installation. Can I access the previous version while they evaluate the update?
Yes. You are able to access the previous version of SEER*Stat by changing the server setting of the Data Location in the SEER*Stat preferences. Please see the section titled "Delayed Update for Software Releases" on the Auto-updating in SEER*Stat page for information on how to do this.

Firewall, Security, and Connection Issues with SEER*Stat's Client-Server Mode

What is a "connection refused" or other communication error? Why can't I use SEER*Stat in client-server mode?
Your firewall may be restricting communication between your PC and the SEER server (over the Internet). Your firewall needs to allow communication via ports 2038 and 2039. This problem is not that uncommon, your network administrator may be able to fix it. You should check with your network administrator. Please provide them with the information in the "How should my firewall be configured?" FAQ.

If that does not resolve the issue, check whether SEER*Stat is installed on a network drive. If it is, please download and install the latest version on a native folder on your hard drive instead (e.g., C:\seerstat\).
How should my firewall be configured?
For SEER*Stat to work in client-server mode, the desktop client interacts with the server at SEER using TCP sockets via ports 2038 and 2039. The client software must be able to initiate communication by opening the socket but must also allow information to return on the same socket (see the next question regarding the information that is transferred).

Please note that your firewall only needs to allow outbound communications and "return" communications established from the initial outbound communication. That is, it does not need to allow inbound communications initiated by the SEER*Stat server. The SEER*Stat server never attempts to open a communications socket on the desktop PC.
What data are transferred from my PC in client-server mode?
Communications include username-password authentication, the server letting the desktop know what databases the specified user has access to, communications of analysis parameters to the server, and results (the calculated statistics) being returned from the server.

In some situations, standard population or expected rate files that you created with SEER*Prep may be transferred to the SEER servers. These files are transferred if they are used in a SEER*Stat session that accesses an incidence or mortality database on the SEER server. When your standard population or expected rate files are transferred to the SEER servers, the files are stored temporarily and deleted as soon as your analysis is finished. Incidence and mortality databases stored on your local computer systems are only accessed by your PC, and never transferred across the Internet.
Is encryption used when transferring information on the Internet (in client-server mode)?
Yes, as of version 5.2.x, information transferred between your PC and the SEER*Stat server is encrypted. (Exception: the initial step of checking the version of SEER*Stat installed on the client is not an encrypted transfer. This communication does not require encryption because your username and password are not transferred.)
What is the IP address of the SEER*Stat server?
We recommend you use "seerstat.imsweb.com" for your configuration since the specific IP address is subject to change. Your system should query the Internet domain name servers for the current IP addresses. If this is not possible, the current IP address associated with "seerstat.imsweb.com" is 144.202.234.139.

For the new redesigned SEER*Stat Client application (version 9.0.25 or better), we recommend you use the domain name "seerstatnew.imsweb.com". If this is not possible, the current IP address associated with "seerstatnew.imsweb.com" is 144.202.234.136.

"seerstat.imsweb.com" was last changed on 8/22/2019 from 144.202.234.142.
My SEER*Stat login isn't working. What could be causing this?
- Starting with version 8.4.1, SEER*Stat switched from using usernames to email address for the login. Verify that you are using the correct email address associated with your account.
- Be sure that your account is current. If you have not requested the latest submission of SEER data, your account may be expired. Refer to the FAQ, When do SEER*Stat accounts expire?, for more information.
  - You must submit a new data request for the latest data submission to keep your account active.
- If you forgot your password or your account is new, you can set or change your password from the "Client-Server Login" window:
  1. Click Set/Change Password from the login window.
  2. Enter the Email address associated with your account.
  3. Select the option to Enter Access Code and then follow the link to Request Access Code.
  4. Enter the Access Code that is emailed to the address provided.
  5. Enter your new password twice and then click OK to set it.
Why do I get an "Invalid Data Location" alert when I log into SEER*Stat?
The SEER*Stat servers moved a while back and the old server address: ssp://seerstat.cancer.gov:2038 is no longer valid. The correct address is: ssp://seerstat.imsweb.com:2038. To update your data locations:
1. Open the Preferences dialog from the Profile menu.
  - If you have both the old and new data locations set, then you just need to remove the old seerstat.cancer.gov address.
  - If you only have the old address, after removing it you will need to add the new address.
2. To add the new address, click the Add Server... button and accept the defaults.
  - If you are not currently using the latest version of SEER*Stat, once you make the changes to the data location, you will be prompted to auto-update.
If after changing your preferences to the correct server address you receive any connection refused or connection timed-out error messages, then that problem will be due to restrictions imposed by your firewall. If you had to make any firewall exceptions to get SEER*Stat to work previously, these exceptions would need to be modified to account for the new server. See the IP address of the SEER*Stat server FAQ for more information.
Why do I get an "Error in opening file. No such file or directory." alert when I try to open sessions in SEER*Stat?
This is a known SEER*Stat issue. We added a work-around to resolve the error starting with version 8.3.6. To to fix this error:
1. Go to the Client-Server Login dialog for the SEER server.
2. Check the “Refresh cache files” checkbox.
3. Login into SEER*Stat.
Where should I store Temporary Files when in Client-Server Mode?
The data location for temporary files is set in SEER*Stat Preferences located under the Profile menu. This location for Temporary Files is used to store cache files downloaded from the server. Using a network or cloud drive for this location may cause unexpected errors in communication with the server. If you encounter the error, change the location to a folder on your hard drive (e.g., C:\seerstat\temp\).

SEER*Stat Installation

Can I run SEER*Stat on a Mac computer?
SEER*Stat is a Windows application and can only be used on a Mac in conjunction with a Windows emulator.
The installation method I used did not work. What can I do?
Some SEER*Stat users have reported problems when installing new versions of the software.

If auto-update does not work:

If you are operating in client-server mode and receive a warning that the automatic update did not work:
- Right-click the SEER*Stat icon located on your desktop or on the Start menu, and select "Run as administrator". When SEER*Stat opens, follow the auto-update procedure.
- If that doesn't work, manually install the software:
  1. First check your preferences from the Profile menu and note your "Data Locations" and "Other Locations" settings.
  2. Uninstall the current version of SEER*Stat.
  3. Install the new version using the program file on the SEER*Stat Installation page.
  4. After the installation, verify and reset your preferences if needed.
Error creating desktop shortcut:

During the manual installation setup process, some users get an error when creating the shortcuts. The following options are available:
- Ignore the error. You will not have the desktop shortcut.
- Rerun the installation as an administrator. This should allow the shortcut to be created.
- When starting the installation, uncheck the option to create the shortcut.
My IT department has to evaluate and approve any software updates. Can they review the new version while I continue working in the previous version?
Yes. Since SEER*Stat has two update schedules, one immediate and one delayed, you are able to work with the old version of SEER*Stat while the IT department addresses the newer version. For more information on how to do this, please see Auto-updating in SEER*Stat for details and instructions.
Can I get e-mail notifications before the SEER*Stat software is released?
Yes. To sign up for e-mail notifications, please visit the Sign-up for SEER*Stat E-mail Updates page and follow the posted instructions.

Citations

Is there a suggested citation for SEER*Stat?
A citation for SEER*Stat, indicating the software version, is recommended. See Suggested Citation on SEER*Stat's help menu for the specific citation. This and the citation for the SEER Data are described in Citations for SEER Databases and SEER*Stat Software.

Data

How do I access data in SEER*Stat?
When you download and install the SEER*Stat software, you do not get access to SEER incidence and other databases. You must first apply for access to the data, and when approved, you will get a SEER*Stat account that grants access to the data requested. To learn more about the available data and access requirements, refer to the SEER Incidence Data pages.
Is U.S. mortality data available for SEER*Stat?
U.S. Mortality data can be accessed using the client-server version of SEER*Stat. To use SEER*Stat in client-server mode, please refer to Accessing the SEER Research Data.
Can I use SEER*Stat to analyze my own data?
Yes. Use the SEER*Prep software to convert your data to the format required by SEER*Stat.
Is there a data dictionary and other documentation for the data available for use with SEER*Stat?
Yes, the data dictionary for the SEER incidence data files, as well as documentation for other databases and associated variables is available on the SEER*Stat Database Details and the SEER*Stat Databases pages.
Why is the 2000 U.S. Standard Population still used to calculate age-adjusted rates?
The 2000 U.S. standard population was created to achieve greater harmonization between national, state, and local data to ensure these statistical communities use the same standard for their official incidence and mortality rates. There are no plans to change from the 2000 U.S. standard population. For more information, refer to the Use of the 2000 U.S. Standard Population for Age-Adjustment.

Variables

Can I share my user-defined variables with a colleague?
Yes. In fact, there are two ways to go about this. One solution is appropriate for occasional transfers and for transfers between colleagues not connected by a local area network (LAN). The other is a more elegant and robust solution but requires the colleagues to have access to the same LAN.

User-defined variables can be exported from the data dictionary by one user. This export file (*.fmx) can be sent to a colleague using any normal file transfer method, such as attaching it to an e-mail message. The recipient can then import the file into their data dictionary. Use the Export and Import buttons on SEER*Stat's data dictionary window. When exporting, notice the location and name of the file at the top of the export window. Send this file to your colleague.

To share a variable with a colleague at another institution, it may be necessary to use the above method. However, if you both have access to the same network, it may be easier to use the same user-defined format libraries. First, select a folder on your local area network that is accessible to all. For this discussion, suppose that location is "\\fileserv1\SEERStat". Each of you must select Preferences from SEER*Stat's Profiles menu. Under Other Locations, set the User Variables location to "\\fileserv1\SEERStat". Now, all parties will read from and write to the same dictionary files. Each of you can easily switch the Use Variables location back to your personal location at any time, simply enter a path or use the drop-down control to select a previously used setting.

The practice of maintaining multiple locations for user-defined variables also provides a convenient method for maintaining project-specific variables. You can easily switch variable locations when working on a specific project. This may keep your data dictionary from becoming large and difficult to maintain.
Can user-defined and merged variables be used in selection statements?
User-defined variables can be used in selection statements; merged variables can not.

Expected Survival

Can I use an "Expected Survival Table" in software other than SEER*Stat?
Yes. Create a SEER*Stat matrix showing the expected survival table. Do this by creating and executing a Case Listing Session using the appropriate expected survival database. Once you have created a SEER*Stat matrix with the correct information, select Export from the Matrix menu to export the data to a text file. In the export file, note that the variable named Expected Rate is the number of persons (per one million) expected to survive one year.

SEER*Stat Frequently Asked Questions

General

Local and Client-Server Mode

Firewall, Security, and Connection Issues with SEER*Stat's Client-Server Mode

SEER*Stat Installation

Citations

Data

Variables

Expected Survival