General replication instructions

Specific instructions

1. Download model and all supplementary files (see below)
2. Install IFs
3. Add supplementary files to their specified locations (see below)
4. Add new country groupings to IFs (see below)
5. Add new display lists to IFs (see below)
6. Add new data to IFs (see below)
7. Run the scenarios (see below)

Necessary files

IFs Model: Link to download IFs (version specific to publication)

Scenario files: Link to download SCE files

Country grouping: Link to download country transmission file

Variable display lists: Link to download display list transmission file

Data tables: Link to download additional data or project data

General Instruction

How to install IFs

Requirements for installing and running IFs on your computer can be found on our website here. Requirements and instructions on installing IFs on a Mac can be found here. 

After downloading IFs (as a zipped folder), you will need to extract all the files from the zipped folder. Then double-click 'IFsSetupStarter". This should initiate the installation. After installation, go to 'Start' and select 'IFs' from the list of programs to run IFs.

How to add scenario files

Scenario files can be manually added to IFs once they have been downloaded. To manually add scenario files (files with the .sce extension) to IFs, you will need to copy the downloaded .sce file to the Scenario folder within IFs. The scenario folder can be accessed using the following path:

C:// > Users > Public > IFs > Scenario

Create a new folder and copy over all scenario files that are necessary for the reproduction of desired results. For more information on scenario analysis in IFs please click here.

How to save a model run as a new scenario

After selecting the 'SSP2Final' scenario and running the model to 2100 (instructions above), you will need to save this model run so that you can view later. After the model has run to 2100, click 'Run Successful - Click to Continue'. This will take you back to the homescreen of IFs. Select 'Scenario Analysis' from the header, then select 'File Management' and then select 'SAVE working file as...". Chose a name for this model run, probably something like 'SSP2". 

How to add variable lists from a transmission file

To add a new variable list you will need the proper transmission file, which should be found with all necessary replication files. From the IFs homescreen, select the 'Display' tab and the 'Flexible Display' sub-option from the dropdown. From this Flexible Display screen select the List Features tab, the Exchange List sub-option, and the Import Lists command. From here select the desired transmission file and the proper variable list and click import. The proper lists may now be found in the Flexible Display. For more information on the use of display lists,  please click here. 

How to add country groupings from a transmission File

To add a new country group, access the Manage Groups/Countries/Regions through the 'Extended Features' at the top of the IFs homescreen. Choose the 'Change Groupings/Regionalization' and select the option to 'Exchange Groups'. Then select the 'Import Groups' option, then select the transmission file that will have been included in necessary materials for replication. From this screen the right groupings may be selected and then imported. For more information on adding country groups in IFs, please see here.

How to add or update data

To add a new data table to the IFs database use the following path from the IFs homescreen:

Extended Features > Manage Country Data > Historical Data File Processing > Import Data (Single Series)

This will prompt a new form to pop-up. Open the Excel File which contains the data through the Open Excel File tab and select the proper sheet, the proper excel sheet data format option, country-name starting location, and year starting location. If this series is updating a previously existent series in IFs, then select this series under Existing Variables and choose the proper Country Translation table. Once all is finished, select Import. For more detailed information on importing data in IFs, please see here.

How to add Project Data

In order to create a new Project Data option, access the ProjectData folder the following location:

This PC > Local Disk > Users > Public > IFs > DATA > ProjectData.

Copy and paste the new .mdb file to this folder. Project data may then be added by selecting:

Extended Features > Manage Country Data > Historical Data File Processing > Project Data > Load Project Data.

Load Project Data, then select the .mdb file. IFs will then be prompted to rebuild the base, follow this process to successfully update the project data.

How to rebuild the Base Case

From the IFs homescreen, follow this path:

Extended Features tab > Rebuild Model Base > Rebuild Base

Select all boxes that apply to the changes that have been made within the IFs system. Leave the year at 2100 and click Rebuild Base. Follow further prompts to begin the rebuild of the model base. You should be prompted to run the model after the rebuild is complete. Run the model to the desired time horizon. For more information on rebuilding the Base Case, please click here.

How to run individual scenarios

From the IFs homescreen, select the 'Scenario Analysis' tab and then select 'Quick Scenario Analysis with Tree' from the dropdown. The imported scenario files should appear upon this list. Select the proper scenario and select 'Load'. The scenario will then load onto the 'tree' on the left-side of the screen. Select 'Run Scenario' from the header. You will be prompted to select the time horizon. Then select 'Start Run'. For more information on running scenarios in IFs, please click here.

How to batch run scenarios

The batch run feature in IFs runs multiple scenarios in succession and saves each resulting run files. To do this, select the ‘Run’ sub-option from ‘Scenario Analysis’ in the main menu bar and then select the option to perform a ‘Batch Run’. From this point all folders contained within the ‘IFs/Scenario’ folder should be visible. Navigate to the desired folder, choose a run horizon, and then press ‘Select.’ IFs will then run each scenario contained within the selected folder save them as a sperate run file.

Visualizing results

There are many ways to visualize Base Case and scenario results in IFs. The Flexible Displays allows a user to display a wide variety of projected variables (sometimes in combination with historical data series), create graphs and view tables of these displays. This display also allows the user to compare results across countries, groups, and scenarios. Not all of the variables available in IFs can be found in Flexible Displays; its purpose is to provide users with access to commonly used variables. If you wish to access the full range of variables and parameters, you can do so in Self-Managed Displays. For more information on using Flexible Displays, click here and for more information on self managed displays, please click here.