Dennis,

>>I'd like to do two things: 1) identify the case and variable for each instance of a -8, and 2) create a new variable that simply flags the presence of at least one -8 on the case with a dichotomous (0/1) variable.

>>Oh, and to complicate it just a bit more, a small number of the variables are string.

Task 1) Use a recode statement to create a set of corresponding indicator variables. Like this

Recode x1 to x500(-8=1)(else=0) into n8_1 to n8_500. Recode s501 to s508('-8'=1)(else=0) into n8_501 to n8_508.

Now task 2) is easy. I like a count command but you might also be able to use an ANY function.

Count n8s=n8_1 to n8_508(1).

Gene Maguin

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