Date:         Wed, 1 Aug 2007 08:52:51 +0200
Reply-To:     Marta Garcia-Granero <mgarciagranero@gmail.com>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Marta Garcia-Granero <mgarciagranero@gmail.com>
Subject:      Re: Searching for variables
In-Reply-To:  <6.2.1.2.2.20070731160419.02f602b0@hawaii.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Bob Schacht escribió:
> I have a fairly large data set with several hundred variables. When I use
> the menu system, I have to hunt through the list of variables, and
> that is
> difficult (I'm using ver. 12). I would love to have a "search"
> function to
> find variable names on demand in the list-- or at least to alphabetize
> the
> list.  Is there any way to do that, in ver. 12, or in later versions?
Hi Bob

Perhaps using Variable Sets (UTILITIES -> VARIABLE SETS) would help.
When I have huge datasets (with a lot of variables, rather than a lot of
cases) I organize variables by topic: demographic data, clinical data,
response to surveys... Then I select the Variable set(s) (UTILITIES->USE
VARIABLE SETS) I need for specific statistical analyses and the
variables not needed are hidden in any dialog box.

Not exactly what you needed but it's the only idea I can offer.

To alphabetize the list:

1) Under EDIT->OPTIONS, you can choose the way the variables are list
between "alphabetical" and "file".
2) If you want to sort the variables alphabetically in your file and
keep then in ordered, then take a look at this code:

http://www.spsstools.net/Syntax/LabelsAndVariableNames/SortVariableNamesByAlphaOrder_AnswerNet.txt

HTH,
Marta Garcia-Granero