SPS file format was developed by IBM as a part of and effort to automate statistical data analysis conducted using SPSS software. SPS document files store data in text format and contains instructions written using the SPSS syntax.

SPSS statistical analysis tool was created in 1968 and is still actively developed. SPS files are utilized by several modules included in the SPSS software package. SPSS is a paid software and users must purchase appropriate license. SPSS uses Java virtual machine to run.