Date:         Mon, 3 May 2004 22:31:55 -0400
Reply-To:     "Hetter, Rebecca D,,DMDCWEST" <HETTERRD@osd.pentagon.mil>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Hetter, Rebecca D,,DMDCWEST" <HETTERRD@osd.pentagon.mil>
Subject:      Re: syntax to change numeric to character
Content-Type: text/plain

I have 11.5, and this (untested) should work:

*       TRY IT FIRST WITH A FEW CASES .
N OF CASES 10.

*       OPTIONAL:  ADD LEADING ZEROS TO A NUMBER.
formats field1 to field230(n4).

*       CREATE A NEW STRING VARIABLE AND CONVERT .
string new1 to new230(a4).
do repeat x=field1 to field230/y=new1 to new230 .
compute y=string(x,n4).
end repeat.

*       LIST A FEW CASES TO CHECK (OMIT FOR THE LARGE FILE).
list var field1 new1 field2 new2 field230 new230.

*       DELETE THE ORIGINAL VARIABLE .
add files file=*/DROP= field1 to field230.
exe.
*       CREATE AGAIN AS A STRING VARIABLE  .
string field1 to field230(a4).
*       NOW RENAME IT .
add files file=*/RENAME=(new1 to new230) = field1 to field230).
exe.

I am not sure about needing the "exe" .

HTH ---

Becky Hetter
Research Psychologist
Defense Manpower Data Center
Personnel Testing Division
400 Gigling Rd
Seaside, CA 93955



-----Original Message-----
From: Carol Jones [mailto:jonesce@michigan.gov]
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 12:19 PM
To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: syntax to change numeric to character


I have two hundred and thirty fields in my dataset.  I am using ver 12. I
need to change all the fields from (F4.0) to (A4) - the field names need to
remain the same.  Can someone share some syntax to perform this task?
Thanks