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

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 options additional attributes unique to them.
- 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 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)

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