Date:         Sun, 4 Aug 2002 08:05:22 -0400
Reply-To:     Art@DrKendall.org
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Arthur J. Kendall" <Arthur.Kendall@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: formatting strings into numerics
Comments: To: goalie <goalie@interchange.ubc.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

try
compute id1 = number(substr(id,1,2),n2).
compute id2 = number(substr(id,4,4),n4).
compute id3 = number(substr(id,10,1),n1).
goalie wrote:

> Dear Group,
>
> I am trying to merge several files. To do this I need to format the
> widths of string variables so that they are all 255. I did the same to
> the numeric variables using Format all (F40.0).
>
> Also I am trying to turn string variables into numeric variables.
> I have string id variables of the form 12-3456-7 and I would like to
> turn them into three variables of '12''3456''7'.
>
> If you could also send your replies to goalie@interchange.ubc.ca it
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks kindly,
> Liz