User Guide

Chapter

File Handlin

g and File

Transformations

Data files

are not always organized in the ideal form for your specific needs. You

may want to combine data files, sort the data in a different order, select a subset of

cases, or change the unit of analysis by grouping cases together. A wide range of file

transform

ation capabilities is available, including the ability to:

Sort data. You can sort cases based on the value of one or more variables.

Transpose cases an d variables. The SPSS data file format reads rows as cases and

columns a

s variables. For data files in which this order is reversed, you can switch the

rowsandcolumnsandreadthedatainthecorrectformat.

Merge files. You can merge two or more data files. You can combine files with the

same vari

ables but different cases or the same cases but different variables.

Select subsets of cases. You can restrict your analysis to a subset of cases or perform

simultaneous analyses on different subsets.

Aggregat

e data.

You can change the unit of analysis by aggregating cases based on the

value of one or more grouping variables.

Weight data. Weight cases for analysis based on the value of a weight variable.

Restruct

ure data.

You can restructure data to create a single case (record) from

multiple cases or create multiple cases from a single case.

Sort Cas

This dia

log box sorts cases (rows) of the data file based on the values of one or more

sorting variables. You can sort cases in ascending or descending order.

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