re-arranging variables using syntax

[Tanya Dockendorf-2]

Dear listers,
I need to re-arrange some variables in an SPSS file and I am wondering if any of the following can be done through syntax:


 1.  Move a variable to the end of the data set (I have several variables that need to be moved and there are over 5000 variables in the file, so drag-and-drop method in the Variable view is very tedious and time consuming for this)
 2.  Insert a new variable after a variable with a specified name
 3.  Insert 150 new variables after a variable with a specified name

I would appreciate any help...

Thanks in advance.
Tanya

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[ViAnn Beadle]

There are a number of commands which re-order variables.

I would recommend that you compute your new variables first and then reorder
them together--it's so much more efficient.

Several file related commands have subcommand KEEP--SAVE is the most
convenient to use. KEEP keeps variables in the order that you specify them
on the subcommand. You can use the TO convention to refer to variables in
the current order. If you search for KEEP in HELP, you will find syntax
examples.


-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
Tanya Dockendorf
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:37 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: re-arranging variables using syntax

Dear listers,
I need to re-arrange some variables in an SPSS file and I am wondering if
any of the following can be done through syntax:


 1.  Move a variable to the end of the data set (I have several variables
that need to be moved and there are over 5000 variables in the file, so
drag-and-drop method in the Variable view is very tedious and time consuming
for this)
 2.  Insert a new variable after a variable with a specified name
 3.  Insert 150 new variables after a variable with a specified name

I would appreciate any help...

Thanks in advance.
Tanya

=======
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[Richard Ristow]

At 05:37 PM 10/18/2007, Tanya Dockendorf wrote:

>there are over 5000 variables in the file, so drag-and-drop method in
>the Variable view is very tedious and time consuming for [moving
>variables]

I should think so. I've had a lot of studies with nowhere near that
many *cases*.

First, not addressing your question but a general remark:

One can be pretty confident that a file with 5,000 variables can be
made much easier to work with by restructuring it. Useful techniques,
which may be used together, include,
- Separating the file into several files by topical groups of
variables, and re-joining for analysis as necessary, using MATCH FILES
- Where the there are several sets of similar variables, like results
of observations at several different times, 'unroll' to put each set in
a separate case, giving you many more cases and fewer variables.

Second, ViAnn Beadle is correct that the /KEEP subcommand available for
SPSS commands including MATCH FILES, ADD FILES, SAVE, and GET, is your
best tool.

For your situation, to

>1.  Move a variable to the end of the data set (I have several
>variables that need to be moved)

To move one variable to the end, suppose the variables in your file are
like this:

Alpha, Beta, ..., LastBefr, To_Move, FrstAftr, ..., Omega

Write your /KEEP= subcommand like this:

     /KEEP=Alpha TO LastBefr, FrstAftr TO Omega, To_Move, ALL

(For safety, end all your /KEEP subcommands with the keyword 'ALL')

To move several variables to the end all at once (the recommended way),
if your variable list is like

Alpha, Beta, ..., LastBef1, To_Move1, FrstAft1,
..., LastBef2, To_Move2, FrstAft1,
..., LastBefn, To_Moven, FrstAftn, ..., Omega

write your /KEEP= subcommand like this (I'm breaking onto separate
lines for readability)

     /KEEP=Alpha TO LastBef1,
                    FrstAft1  TO LastBef2,
                    ...,
                    FrstAftn  TO Omega,
                    To_Move1, ToMove2, ..., ToMoven,
                    ALL

(If you want to change the order of the ToMove variables at the end,
just list them in the new order you want.)

>  2.  Insert a new variable after a variable with a specified name

If your variable list is like

Alpha, Beta, ..., SpecName, NextName, ..., Omega

first create NewVrble with COMPUTE or however you like; then, use a
/KEEP subcommand like,

     /KEEP=Alpha TO SpecName, NewVrbl, NextName TO Omega, ALL

If that's all you want to do, you can use the following shorter form,
because of how /KEEP works:

     /KEEP=Alpha TO SpecName, NewVrbl, ALL

>  3.  Insert 150 new variables after a variable with a specified name

Just the same. Create NewVb001 to NewVb150 however you like (but in
that order in the file). Then use

     /KEEP=Alpha TO SpecName, NewVb001 TO NewVb150,
           NextName TO Omega, ALL

or

     /KEEP=Alpha TO SpecName, NewVb001 TO NewVb150, ALL
...................
I suggest using your /KEEP subcommand one of these two ways:

First, *save a copy of your file as it is*, in case something goes
wrong. If you're creating new variables (as in 2. and 3., above),
create those variables first, then save.

Then, either

SAVE OUTFILE=<file specification>
     /KEEP=....

That creates a new .SAV file with the variables in the new order

OR

ADD FILES /FILE=*
     /KEEP=....

That reorders the variables in the working file, at the cost of reading
the whole file.

-Good luck and good wishes,
  Richard

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[Albert-Jan Roskam]

Hi!

KEEPing only the vars that you need is by far the most
efficient way, but in the GUI, under utilities, you
can also define & use sets of variables. I have never
really used this myself, but I think it could be
useful in your case.

Cheers!
Albert-Jan


--- ViAnn Beadle <[hidden email]> wrote:

> There are a number of commands which re-order
> variables.
>
> I would recommend that you compute your new
> variables first and then reorder
> them together--it's so much more efficient.
>
> Several file related commands have subcommand
> KEEP--SAVE is the most
> convenient to use. KEEP keeps variables in the order
> that you specify them
> on the subcommand. You can use the TO convention to
> refer to variables in
> the current order. If you search for KEEP in HELP,
> you will find syntax
> examples.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SPSSX(r) Discussion
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> Tanya Dockendorf
> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:37 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: re-arranging variables using syntax
>
> Dear listers,
> I need to re-arrange some variables in an SPSS file
> and I am wondering if
> any of the following can be done through syntax:
>
>
>  1.  Move a variable to the end of the data set (I
> have several variables
> that need to be moved and there are over 5000
> variables in the file, so
> drag-and-drop method in the Variable view is very
> tedious and time consuming
> for this)
>  2.  Insert a new variable after a variable with a
> specified name
>  3.  Insert 150 new variables after a variable with
> a specified name
>
> I would appreciate any help...
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Tanya
>
> =======
> To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a
> message to
> [hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no
> body text except the
> command. To leave the list, send the command
> SIGNOFF SPSSX-L
> For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send
> the command
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>
> =====================
> To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a
> message to
> [hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no
> body text except the
> command. To leave the list, send the command
> SIGNOFF SPSSX-L
> For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send
> the command
> INFO REFCARD
>

Cheers!
Albert-Jan

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