Date:         Fri, 13 Jun 2003 11:55:45 +1000
Reply-To:     paulandpen@optusnet.com.au
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Paul Dickson <paulandpen@optusnet.com.au>
Subject:      Re: How to?
Comments: To: "Caryd @ aol . com" <Caryd@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain

Hi there Cary,

Here is syntax I have used in the past for this type of thing with two examples

Chronic condition and also gender

THE ORIGINAL VARIABLE IMPORTED FROM EXCEL WAS PRIMACYC IN
THIS CASE (TRUNCATED BY SPSS TO EIGHT LETTERS)
SUBSTITUTE YOUR EXCEL VARIABLE AS THE PRIMACYC VARIABLE AND
CREATE A NEW VARIABLE FOR SPSS BASED ON PRIMARY

You can use do repeat for longer recoding needs and for shorter recoding needs
use "if"

Regards Paul

Do
Repeat=A "Arthritis" "Cardio" "Depression" "Diabetes" "Osteoporosis" "Other"
"Respiratory"/B=1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
If (primaryc=A) primary=B.
End Repeat.
Value label primary
        1 "Arthritis"
        2 "Cardio"
        3 "Depression"
        4 "Diabetes"
        5 "Osteoporosis"
        6 "Other"
        7 "Respiratory".
Variable label primary
        "primary condition".
Execute.



RECODING GENDER (STRING TO NUMERIC)

IF (gender="Male") gender1=1.
IF (gender="Female") gender1=2.
value label gender1
        1 'male'
        2 'female'.
Variable label gender1
gender
execute.

regards Paul