You can use the RANK command to create a new variable in the current active file that equals the quantile for an existing variable. The following command assigns the quartile memberships for variable traita to a new variable called qtile. Rank is available from the Transform menu in SPSS version with graphic user interface; on SPSS/PC+, from the Modify Data or Files->Modify Data Values menu.

RANK VARIABLES=traita (A) /NTILES (4) INTO QTILE /PRINT=YES /TIES=MEAN .

You might prefer another option for ties (which could affect ties right at the quartile borders).

David Matheson SPSS Technical Support

>---------- >From: Dean Duncan[SMTP:dfduncan@EMAIL.UNC.EDU] >Sent: Monday, February 24, 1997 9:07 AM >To: Multiple recipients of list SPSSX-L >Subject: Outputing Quartiles to the Active File > >Is there a way to calculate the quartile value for a case on a particular >variable without (1) calculating the quartile value cutpoints and (2) using a >compute/recode/if statement to create a new variable that contains the >quartile >value? > >I haven't found a way to do it yet, but I was wondering if there was some >esoteric opiton that would allow you to generate a file that contained the >quartile values for each case that could be merged with the active file. > >Thanks. > >dd >