Searching for variables

[bruce phillips-2]

This is not the most efficient approach, but it works for me:

In variable view, I copy the variable names and variable description columns into an excel sheet, and add new user variables periodically as I work with the data set.  I can also make notations in adjoining columns and even store the code I used to make the variable.  I use another column to create categories by which I can sort the variables.  Once I find the variable I am looking for, I copy and paste the var name from Excel into the syntax window.

Bruce Phillips
Hebrew Union College & University of southern California



I have a fairly large data set with several hundred variables. When I use the menu system, I have to hunt through the list of variables, and that is difficult (I'm using ver. 12). I would love to have a "search" function to find variable names on demand in the list-- or at least to alphabetize the list.  Is there any way to do that, in ver. 12, or in later versions?

Bob Schacht

Robert M. Schacht, Ph.D. <[hidden email]> Pacific Basin Rehabilitation Research & Training Center
1268 Young Street, Suite #204
Research Center, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96814

[Melissa Ives]

You can alphabetize the variable list under Edit-->Options.  On the
General tab on the upper left side, Under Variable lists, chose 'display
names' and 'alphabetical'.

If you select display labels, you will have an alphabetical list of the
labels.  If you choose display 'File' the list will be in the order the
data appear in the file.  You will need to decide what is best for your
use.


Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
Bob Schacht
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:08 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SPSSX-L] Searching for variables

I have a fairly large data set with several hundred variables. When I
use the menu system, I have to hunt through the list of variables, and
that is difficult (I'm using ver. 12). I would love to have a "search"
function to find variable names on demand in the list-- or at least to
alphabetize the list.  Is there any way to do that, in ver. 12, or in
later versions?

Bob Schacht

Robert M. Schacht, Ph.D. <[hidden email]> Pacific Basin
Rehabilitation Research & Training Center
1268 Young Street, Suite #204
Research Center, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96814


PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
This transmittal and any attachments may contain PRIVILEGED AND
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the
addressee. If you are not the designated recipient, or an employee
or agent authorized to deliver such transmittals to the designated
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
copying or publication of this transmittal is strictly prohibited. If
you have received this transmittal in error, please notify us
immediately by replying to the sender and delete this copy from your
system. You may also call us at [phone] for assistance.

[Weeks, Kyle]

This will be much easier in SPSS 16.  In SPSS 16 you will be able to sort alphabetically the variables in the Variable View.  This will then be the order that the variables will appear in the variable list.  To see a complete list of new features scheduled for SPSS 16 please see http://www.spss.com/spss16/whats_new_base.htm

Regards.


Kyle Weeks, Ph.D.
Director of Product Management, SPSS Product Line
Product Management
SPSS Inc.
[hidden email]
www.spss.com
SPSS Inc. helps organizations turn data into insight through predictive analytics.


-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of bruce phillips
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 3:55 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Searching for variables

This is not the most efficient approach, but it works for me:

In variable view, I copy the variable names and variable description columns into an excel sheet, and add new user variables periodically as I work with the data set.  I can also make notations in adjoining columns and even store the code I used to make the variable.  I use another column to create categories by which I can sort the variables.  Once I find the variable I am looking for, I copy and paste the var name from Excel into the syntax window.

Bruce Phillips
Hebrew Union College & University of southern California



I have a fairly large data set with several hundred variables. When I use the menu system, I have to hunt through the list of variables, and that is difficult (I'm using ver. 12). I would love to have a "search" function to find variable names on demand in the list-- or at least to alphabetize the list.  Is there any way to do that, in ver. 12, or in later versions?

Bob Schacht

Robert M. Schacht, Ph.D. <[hidden email]> Pacific Basin Rehabilitation Research & Training Center
1268 Young Street, Suite #204
Research Center, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96814