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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.
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