What is the SSP file format?
A .ssp file is a SAS transport data file storing statistical datasets in the XPORT format, a portable binary layout developed by SAS Institute in the mid-1980s. Although several extensions are used for SAS transport files - including .xpt and .tpt - .ssp refers to the same underlying format.
The file begins with the ASCII text HEADER RECORD at offset 0, a hallmark of the format's mainframe heritage. Data is organized into 80-byte fixed-length records - a deliberate nod to IBM punched-card dimensions. Numeric values are stored in IBM 370 double-precision floating-point (8 bytes, big-endian), ensuring cross-platform reproducibility. The original Version 5 XPORT limits variable names to 8 characters and labels to 40 characters; Version 8 XPORT extends these to 32 and 256 characters respectively.
The format remains actively used because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates Version 5 XPORT for all electronic New Drug Application (NDA) and BLA submissions. This regulatory requirement keeps .ssp/.xpt files relevant in pharmaceutical regulatory work decades after their introduction.
In SAS, the PROC COPY procedure with an XPORT library engine creates and reads these files. Outside SAS, the R package foreign and Python's pyreadstat library both support the format. .sas7bdat is the modern native SAS storage format for everyday analysis, but it cannot substitute for XPORT in FDA submissions.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPure data file; contains no executable code. Safe to open. Used extensively in regulated pharmaceutical submissions.
Format details
in a nutshell- Axialis ScreenSaver Producer Project - Axialis Professional ScreenSaver Producer (Windows) uses .ssp for screensaver project files - unrelated to SAS.
- ProShow Slideshow Project - Some slideshow creation tools (e.g., Photodex ProShow) used .ssp for project files - ProShow discontinued 2019.
Programs that open SSP files
Windows4 apps
SAS
Paid Use LIBNAME mylib XPORT 'path/to/file.ssp'; DATA mydata; SET mylib.dataset; RUN; - or PROC XCOPY IN=mylib OUT=work; RUN;
R (foreign package)
Open-source install.packages('foreign'); library(foreign); data <- read.xport('file.ssp')
Python pyreadstat
Open-source pip install pyreadstat; import pyreadstat; df, meta = pyreadstat.read_xport('file.ssp') 
macOS1 app
Linux2 apps
Technical details
deep spec| File type | Binary statistical data transport format |
| Magic bytes | `HEADER RECORD` ASCII string at offset 0 |
| Record structure | Fixed 80-byte records (mainframe IBM punched-card heritage) |
| Numeric encoding | IBM 370 double-precision floating-point, 8 bytes, big-endian |
| Byte order | Big-endian (IBM 370 convention) |
| Typical size | 10 KB - 500 MB |
| Variable name limit (V5) | Max 8 characters; label max 40 characters |
| Variable name limit (V8) | Max 32 characters; label max 256 characters |
| Regulatory use | FDA requires Version 5 XPORT for NDA/BLA electronic submissions |
| SAS procedure | Created/read with `PROC COPY` using XPORT library engine |
| Third-party support | R `foreign` package; Python `pyreadstat` library |
| Associated OS | Windows, Linux, macOS, mainframe (historical) |
| Released | 1980s (SAS Version 5 XPORT transport format) |
| Latest version | Version 5 XPORT (original); Version 8 XPORT (later extension) |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | support.sas.com |
SSP conversions
Community Q&A
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