To Notes

Enter a Range into a Dataset

• Sometimes you will want to generate values for a column in a new dataset. There is no easy builtin way to do this in SPSS. Here are two methods for generating the values from 1 to n in a new column.

Using Excel

• One method to enter a range, say 1 to 100, into an empty dataset is to use MS Excel:
  
  1. Enter the values 1 and 2 into the first two rows of an empty column.
  2. Select the values 1 and 2.
  3. Move the cursor until a solid black cursor is obtained.
  4. Drag the cursor down to row 100. This will drag out the values 1 to 100 in the column.
  5. Right click on the column header and select Copy.
  6. Paste the column into the top cell of a column in the SPSS Dataset Editor.

Using an SPSS Script

• Another method to enter a range into an empty dataset is to execute an SPSS syntax source code:
  
  1. Select File >> New >> Syntax.
  2. Enter this SPSS Script:
     

     input program.
     loop #i = 1 to 100.
         compute i = #i.
         end case.
     end loop.
     end file.
     end input program.
     execute.
     

  3. Select Run >> All in the Syntax Editor. A variable i with values 1 to 100 should now exist in the new dataset that is created.
  4. Don't forget the . at the end of each line.
  5. Only use this technique for new databases, not ones with existing data.