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A Stata licence is the right to run a given Stata edition, proven by a License and Activation Key that you enter once when you first launch the program. This guide is for researchers and analysts who have been given a key (or an .stcodes file) and need to know what it contains, how to initialise it on Windows, what the edition limits mean, and how renewal works. It uses StataCorp’s own pages, read on 2026-11-08, and does not state prices. StataCorp spells the word “license”; the two spellings refer to the same thing.
What it is used for in research
Stata is a commercial statistical package used for data management, regression and other analysis in research. Because it is licensed software, a copy will not run until the licence is initialised. For tool comparisons see R vs Stata and SPSS vs Stata.
What the licence consists of
- License and Activation Key. StataCorp’s install guide tells you to have it with you while you install and to keep it afterwards. The key shows which edition you are licensed for: Stata/MP, SE or BE (or the StataNow equivalents).
- Serial Number, Code and Authorization. The three values on the key that you enter during initialisation.
- .stcodes file. If you received one, save it somewhere you can browse to; it can be imported during setup instead of typing the three values.
Install or access (official source only)
StataCorp publishes separate installation instructions for Windows, Mac and Unix/Linux, plus pages on updating your licence information, upgrading to a new edition and uninstalling, all reached from stata.com/install-guide. Use those rather than third-party copies.
Who may install it
StataCorp’s purchasing FAQ states that a single-user licence may be installed on your compatible machines as long as you are the sole user. Network (multi-user) licences are a separate option, and StataCorp has a “Change registration” page for changing the registered user. If an institution supplies Stata through a network copy or site licence, ask that institution’s IT group for the installer and key.
Initialise the licence on Windows
These steps follow StataCorp’s Windows license page (stata.com/install-guide/windows/license), read 2026-11-08.
- Launch Stata. The first time, click Yes on the Windows User Account Control dialog.
- In the Initialize License dialog, enter your Name and Organization. Each must be at least 5 characters.
- Either choose “Import new license codes…” and select your .stcodes file, or enter the Serial Number, Code and Authorization from your License and Activation Key. Copy and paste is recommended; the values are not case sensitive and all fields are required.
- Click Next, then Finish.
- Select “Check for updates now” and click OK. Stata does not install an update without asking you.
- Keep the License and Activation Key.
The Mac and Unix/Linux setup pages are separate; follow the instructions on those pages for those systems.
Reading the edition and its limits
The edition on your key sets the size of problem Stata can handle. StataCorp’s “Which Stata is right for me?” page (read 2026-11-08) gives these limits:
| Edition | Observations | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Stata/BE | 2 billion | 2,048 variables in a dataset; 798 independent variables in a model |
| Stata/SE | Up to 2 billion | Up to 10,998 independent variables |
| Stata/MP | 10 to 20 billion | Up to 65,532 independent variables |
The editions share the same feature set. StataCorp describes MP as the fastest and largest, and says an MP licence can be bought for up to the number of cores on your machine (maximum 64).
Renewal, cancellation and updates
- An annual licence can be bought with auto-renewal; the renewal is charged up to two weeks before expiry.
- After cancelling, you may keep using the licence until the end of the term you paid for. To cancel before the first renewal fee, StataCorp asks you to contact it at least 30 days before expiry.
- A renewal brings a new License and Activation Key that you must install.
- To check for program updates with internet access, type
update queryin Stata. Without internet, typeaboutto see your revision date, download the update file from StataCorp, extract it, typedb updateand browse to the directory (StataCorp’s Stata 19 updates page, read 2026-11-08).
Troubleshooting
- “The serial number, code, and authorization are inconsistent”. Re-copy and paste the values. StataCorp notes the usual mix-ups: letter o versus zero, and the digit 1 versus the letter L.
- Name or Organization rejected. Each needs at least 5 characters.
- Wrong edition appears. The key determines the edition; check which of MP, SE or BE it names, and see StataCorp’s “Upgrading to a new edition” page if you need a different one.
Free alternatives
| Tool | What it is | CASRAI page |
|---|---|---|
| R | Open-source statistical programming language | R vs Stata |
| R Commander | Menu-driven graphical interface for R | R Commander guide |
| JASP | Graphical statistics program | JASP guide |
Once Stata is running, searching Stata help and commands and finding a median in Stata are sensible first tasks.
FAQ
What do I need to activate Stata?
Your License and Activation Key (Serial Number, Code, Authorization) or an .stcodes file, plus a Name and Organization of at least 5 characters each.
Can I install Stata on more than one computer?
StataCorp’s purchasing FAQ allows a single-user licence on your compatible machines provided you are the sole user.
What happens when an annual licence is cancelled?
You may continue to use it until the end of the paid term.
How do I check which edition I have?
The License and Activation Key shows the edition (MP, SE or BE, or StataNow equivalents).
