Variable Update (Attributes)

Overview

The Variable Update window defines a variable through four tabs:  Attributes, Pick List, Missing Values, Layout.

Content

The Attributes tab is required to be completed and contains the following fields:

• Name*:  The name of the variable.  When the name is entered, the Data Entry Prompt and Code pre-fill with the same data

  In SPSS the Variable Name is called Variable Label

• Description:  An optional description for the variable
• Data Entry Prompt:  The text that is shown for the question during data entry
• Answer Suffix:  Optional text that will be placed after the answer

  The Answer Suffix is typically used for units

• Code*  An identifier for the variable that must be unique within the project.  The Code is used to identify a variable in Numeric Calculations and Dependencies.

   In SPSS the Variable code is called Variable Name 

• Variable Type*:  There are 10 distinct variable types.  Each variable type will either add or subtract additional attributes unique to them, as well as enable/disable variable update tabs.
  • Checkbox: Value is stored as either 0 (or) 1
  • Date: Date is stored as mm/dd/yyyy

    In Version 3.1 or later, the date format can be set as dd/mm/yyyy from the Customer Administration page

  • Document: Open storage variable type for any documents or file
  • Memo: An unaudited field that can store either numeric or alphanumeric information.  The variable can store an unlimited number of characters or numbers
  • Numeric: Stored as a number value only.  Can include a decimal and any number of 10th part fractions
  • Numeric Calculation: Value is stored as a result of one or more numeric variables being utilized in the expression (and/or) user defined functions

    For more information regarding writing expressions and user defined functions please refer to  xxxxxxx

  • Pick List:  Utilized to store a list of Pick List Elements as a drop down list.  These elements are added in the Pick List tab.  Resultant Value is stored as any number, including 10th part fraction(if necessary)
  • Radio Button (Horizontal): Utilized to store a list of Pick List Elements as a horizontal list.  These elements are added in the Pick List tab.  Resultant Value is stored as any number, including 10th part fraction(if necessary)  
  • Radio Button (Vertical): Utilized to store a list of Pick List Elements as a vertical list.  These elements are added in the Pick List tab.  Resultant Value is stored as any number, including 10th part fraction(if necessary)  
  • Text:  Stored as a text value only.  Default length of set for 10, but can be defined as a number of maximum characters
• Default*: When available, a default numeric or text value can be entered as the default value for the variable
• Minimum/Maximum*: Available for Date and Numeric variables - allows a lower and upper limit to to be set for the variable.  During data entry, a warning is highlighted in the field to alert that the limits have been exceeded
• Number of Lines*: Available for Memo and Text variables - designates how many vertical lines of space is VISIBLE ON THE FORM for this variable

• Length*: Available only for text variables - Determines the number of characters available to the variable.  The max characters allowed is 255
• Required*: Defines whether a variable required for data completion status.  Options are (1) No  (2) Yes, Can be null  (3) Yes, Can NOT be null
  • No: Data completion status is NOT dependent on this variable being populated with a value (or) null
  • Yes, Can be null: Data completion status is dependent on this variable being populated.  A Null value would allow for completion
  • Yes, Can NOT be null: Data completion status is dependent on this variable being populated.  A Null value would NOT be acceptable for completion
• Active*: When unchecked, the variable is not available for data entry.
• Exportable*: When unchecked, the variable is not available for data export via Data Sets.