Re: Problem with update command syntax

Posted by Maguin, Eugene on
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Problem-with-update-command-syntax-tp5740584p5740585.html

Harley,

Would you try the command with update rather than match files. The update documentation shows this statement

 

UPDATE is designed to update values of existing variables for existing cases. Use MATCH FILES to add

new variables to a data file and ADD FILES to add new cases.

 

And that sounds like what you are doing because the variables to be updated already exist in the master file.

 

Gene Maguin

 

From: SPSSX(r) Discussion <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Baker, Harley
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2021 4:25 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Problem with update command syntax

 

Greetings!

 

I am having difficulty with the Update command syntax and am hoping someone can show me the error of my ways. I am trying to update a file with values from a separate file. Below is the syntax:

 

match files

     file  = '/Users/Professional/Desktop/Final.05.21.2021/Processed Data Files'

+            '/06.13.2021_master.sav'

    /table = '/Users/Professional/Desktop/Final.05.21.2021/Processed Data Files'

+            '/06.13.2021_all imputed table.sav'

    /by      imputation_ id

    /map.

 

execute.

 

The map output indicates the command was “successful” – showing which file contributed the final values in the resultant matched file. Yet, when I do a file compare and run descriptives on the resultant file, it only has the values from the master file, none of which were updated or replaced by the data in the table. I have checked both of these files and there are no problems with them individually. The syntax looks correct, and SPSS tells me it was successful, yet it doesn’t work. Just in case there is some funky syntax error, I have also done this from the pull-down menus with the same result. I am temporarily stumped and cannot go any further on this project withour resolving this issue.

 

I am running v27 on an iMac using Big Sur 11.4. Any insight and help would be appreciated. I am happy to send the syntax and output files to interested parties. Thank you very much!

 

Harley

 

Dr. Harley Baker

Professor Emeritus of Psychology

California State University Channel Islands

 

[hidden email]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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