Converting a string variable to numeric by syntax.

[Staffan Lindberg]

Dear list!

 

What is the proper syntax for converting an existing string variable to numeric? I’ve tried with Numeric but get the error message that the variable already exists.

 

best

 

Staffan Lindberg

Sweden

[Jon K Peck]

Converting a value to numeric does not mean that you can assign it to a string.  You would need a new variable.  Use ALTER TYPE to change the type of an existing variable.


Jon Peck (no "h") aka Kim
Senior Software Engineer, IBM
[hidden email]
phone: [phone]




From:        Staffan Lindberg <[hidden email]>
To:        [hidden email],
Date:        01/12/2014 08:32 AM
Subject:        [SPSSX-L] Converting a string variable to numeric by syntax.
Sent by:        "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <[hidden email]>

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Dear list!
 
What is the proper syntax for converting an existing string variable to numeric? I’ve tried with Numeric but get the error message that the variable already exists.
 
best
 
Staffan Lindberg
Sweden

[David Marso]

Why would Numeric do this?  Random clicking on functions is a sad second to reading the FM.
Look up ALTER TYPE and also NUMBER functions under COMPUTE.

Staffan Lindberg wrote

Dear list!



What is the proper syntax for converting an existing string variable to
numeric? I've tried with Numeric but get the error message that the variable
already exists.



best



Staffan Lindberg

Sweden