Variables

Variables provides a list of variables and variable information for a selected dataset and allows you to make changes to the variables in that dataset.

 

Choose a dataset

Choose the dataset for use with Variables from the dropdown list.

 

Variables

The Variables list displays the variables in your dataset.

• Choose Show all to display all of the variables in your dataset, Show numeric to display only variables of numeric format or Show string to display only variables of string format.
• Show hidden variables will display all variables including those marked as hidden.
• Enabling the Variables list check box allows you to hide or unhide selected variables. You can select the check box for multiple variables to use the Hide Variables and Unhide Variables options.
• Enable the Variables list check box for a single variable or click anywhere on a variable in the Variables list to highlight a single variable to display Variable Information or make changes to the selected/highlighted variable.
• Only one variable can be highlighted at a time and the Variable information panel displays information about the highlighted variable.
• If you enable the check box for more than one variable in the Variables list, the Variable Information for the highlighted variable will display whether its check box is enabled or not. If no Variable Information is displayed, a variable in the Variables list has not been highlighted.
• A variable becomes highlighted when either the check box for a single variable is checked or you click anywhere on a single variable in the Variables list.
• When displayed, hidden variables are shown as italicized in the Variables list.

 

Variable Information

Variable Information displays the Variable Name, Variable Label, Format (Numeric, Alphanumeric or Date), Width, number of Decimals, Export format (Numeric, Alphanumeric or Date), Width, number of Decimals, Code Values and Value Labels and the Frequency of each Code Value for the selected variable from the Variables list. Variable Information also displays Defined code values and any Outlying data values (outliers).

 

Rename Variable

• Enable the Variables list check box for a single variable or click anywhere on a variable in the Variables list to highlight a single variable.
• Select Rename Variable at the top of the Variable Information panel for the selected variable.
• Enter a new Name.
• Choose Save.

 

Edit Variable Label

• Enable the Variables list check box for a single variable or click anywhere on a variable in the Variables list to highlight a single variable.
• Select Edit Variable Label at the top of the Variable Information panel for the selected variable.
• Enter a new or modified Label.
• Choose Save.

 

Add

• Displays any Outlying data values and let's you assign a Value Label if desired.
• Allows you to enter a Custom value and Custom label.

 

You can also enable the check box next to one or more Defined code values and choose one of the following options:

 

Delete

• Allows you to Delete one or more Code Values and Value Labels.

 

Edit Labels

• Allows you to edit the Value Label for selected Code Value(s).

 

Case

The Case dropdown menu lets you choose from different types of case to assign to value labels.

 

Title Case

• Allows you to change the Value Label to title case (capitalize the first letter of each word, except for certain small words, such as articles and prepositions) for selected Code Values.

 

Sentence Case

• Allows you to change the Value Label to sentence case (capitalize the first letter of the first word) for selected Code Values.

 

Upper

• Allows you to change the entire Value Label to uppercase for selected Code Values.

 

Lower

• Allows you to change the entire Value Label to lowercase for selected Code Values.

 

More

The More dropdown menu lets you apply changes made to code values and/or labels for a selected variable.

 

Apply Code Values and Labels to Other Variables

• Make the desired changes to the Code Values and/or Value Labels for the selected variable.
• Choose Apply Code Values and Labels to Other Variables to apply the changes to other variables.
• Enable the check box for each additional variable.
• Apply Code Values and Labels to Other Variables copies the entire Code Value and Value Label set and not just the selected Defined code values. For example, if you enable the check box for 2 code values from a list of 4 code values for a selected variable and change the value labels for those 2 code values, choosing Apply Code Values and Labels to Other Variables will copy the entire set of 4 code values and value labels to the other variables not just the 2 selected code values.

 

Hide Variables

• Enabling the Variables list check box allows you to hide selected variables.
• You can select a single variable or multiple variables to use the Hide Variables option.
• Once a variable is hidden, it will not display in the Variables List unless you choose the Show hidden or Show all options.
• If the Show hidden or Show all option is selected, hidden variables will display as italicized in the Variables list.

 

Unhide Variables

• Use the Show hidden variables option to display hidden variables.
• Enabling the Variables list check box allows you to unhide selected variables.
• You can select a single variable or multiple variables to use the Unhide Variables option.

Related topics:

Data Menu

Datasets