Lars,

It's a lot of syntax but it works:

Let's say your variable is Var and it is numeric

First write a separate syntax C:\temp\Data.sps: DELETE VARIABLE Var.

And write a second separate syntax C:\temp\NoData.sps: * no commands .

Then the syntax you are looking for is (untested):

IF sysmis(Var)=1 s=1 . EXE. STRING incl (A100). IF s = 1 incl = "INCLUDE 'C:\temp\Nodata.sps'.". IF s ~= 1 incl = "INCLUDE 'C:\temp\Data.sps'.". EXE.

* a syntax file is created based on variable incl . SORT CASES BY s (A) . TEMPORARY . N 1 . WRITE OUTFILE= 'C:\Temp\DO.SPS' / incl . EXECUTE .

* the created syntax is run . INCLUDE 'C:\Temp\DO.SPS' .

And the syntax DO.sps either runs Nodata.sps or Data.sps.

Hope this helps.

Max

-----Original Message----- From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of <Lars Johansson> Sent: dinsdag 15 februari 2005 14:22 To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: Deleting a variable

I want to write a syntax that drops a variable if the variable contains no data (not on any row/case), is this possible?

Regards, Lars Johansson