Date:         Fri, 6 Nov 1998 12:59:26 +0100
Reply-To:     Fabrizio_Arosio@ROTTA.COM
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Fabrizio Arosio <Fabrizio_Arosio@ROTTA.COM>
Subject:      Data Entry: How to enter either numeric codes or value lables
              into a list box?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

List,
I've a problem related to the spss data entry for windows (version 1.0.3).
I'm using Data Entry builder to design a form which contains several
questions whose responses are linked to value labels.
These questions are represented onto the form by list boxes controls.
 
Here is the problem: the list box list shows only the responses I defined
as value labels. If the user (running Data Entry station) during the
form-filling
process needs to add another item (and therefore another value label) at
the
question, he can't do that (as far as I know).
 
In order to allow a more efficient data processing in SPSS and to eliminate
the possibility that  two same items are stored differently because, for
example, one is written in uppercase and the other in lowercase,
I'm using numeric variables with value labels instead of string
variables.
 
This means that during the form-designing phase, it isn't possible to
know all the possible responses for that particular question.
It is the person who actually loads the data into the form that knows
when a new item is needed.
 
I want the user uses the list box to choose the item that gives the
response to the question; if the answer isn't present into the list, then
the user is able to add a new code (a number that hasn't already
attached a value label) and after that I proceed to assign (into
Data Entry designer) the new value label corresponding to that
code.
It is fundamental that the user can enter the response by
choosing it in the list, or enter the response by a code which
hasn't attached any label.
 
Does anyone came across the same problem?
Any solution will be greatly appreciated.
Fabrizio