variable type convert

[ma yuanxin]

I have a lot of numeirc type data to combine. It seems that the string type variable is more convenient to deel with. Is there any method that can convert the spss variable type from numeric to string without changing the value labels?
  Thank you very much!


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[Richard Ristow]

At 10:11 PM 9/24/2006, ma yuanxin wrote:

>I have a lot of numeirc type data to combine. It seems that the string
>type variable is more convenient to deel with. Is there any method
>that can convert the spss variable type from numeric to string without
>changing the value labels?

There isn't an easy way. You have to,
. Rename all the numeric variables
. Create new string variables with the old names
. Compute the string values from the former numeric values, say with
function STRING
. List the value labels from the old variables
. Generate the new VALUE LABELS syntax, making sure it specifies string
rather than numeric values, and run it
AND, probably
. Delete the numeric variables

You can do this with Python in SPSS 14 or 15; by more complicated
methods, in older versions.

But, think twice whether you want to. Post why you find that "the
string type variable is more convenient to deal with." Most of us find
numeric variables easier, for categorical variables using VALUE LABELS;
we will likely have suggestions for you.

[Melissa Ives]

If the reason is that you prefer to see the label when looking at the
data, you may want to click the value labels icon in the data editor
toolbar.  It is generally second from the end and looks like a tie-on
price tag. Or click View -- Value Labels.

Just a thought...

Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
Richard Ristow
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 3:47 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SPSSX-L] variable type convert

At 10:11 PM 9/24/2006, ma yuanxin wrote:

>I have a lot of numeirc type data to combine. It seems that the string
>type variable is more convenient to deel with. Is there any method that

>can convert the spss variable type from numeric to string without
>changing the value labels?

There isn't an easy way. You have to,
. Rename all the numeric variables
. Create new string variables with the old names . Compute the string
values from the former numeric values, say with function STRING . List
the value labels from the old variables . Generate the new VALUE LABELS
syntax, making sure it specifies string rather than numeric values, and
run it AND, probably . Delete the numeric variables

You can do this with Python in SPSS 14 or 15; by more complicated
methods, in older versions.

But, think twice whether you want to. Post why you find that "the string
type variable is more convenient to deal with." Most of us find numeric
variables easier, for categorical variables using VALUE LABELS; we will
likely have suggestions for you.



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