Unit 1 · Find your way around
Data View and Variable View in SPSS
Learn the SPSS Data Editor: what rows, columns and cells mean, and how to set names, labels, value labels and missing values in Variable View.
Free lessonAbout 5 minutes5 practice questions
Meet the Data Editor
When you open a data file, SPSS shows the Data Editor. It looks like a spreadsheet, but every row and column has a fixed job. Tap a number to jump to its note.
survey.sav [DataSet1] – SPSS Statistics Data Editor
2
Data ViewVariable View6
- 1
Menu barEvery analysis starts here. You'll mostly use Analyze, plus Data and Transform to prepare your data.
- 2
ToolbarShortcuts for opening, saving, recalling recent dialogs and showing value labels. The menus do the same jobs.
- 3
Variable namesEach column is a variable: one thing you measured, such as gender or age. "var" columns are still empty.
- 4
Row numbersEach row is a case, usually one participant. Row 3 is the third person in the file.
- 5
A cellOne value for one person. Participant 2 is 34 years old.
- 6
View tabsSwitch between Data View (the values) and Variable View (the settings for each variable).
Variable View
Variable View is where you tell SPSS what each column means. Set it up once and every table and chart you produce becomes readable.
survey.sav [DataSet1] – SPSS Statistics Data Editor
Data ViewVariable View
- 1
NameThe short name used in menus and syntax. It must start with a letter and can't contain spaces or hyphens: exam_score, not exam score.
- 2
TypeNumeric for numbers and codes, String for text. Store groups as numeric codes (1, 2) so you can analyse them.
- 3
LabelThe full description shown in your output, such as "Exam score (%)".
- 4
ValuesValue labels turn codes into words: 1 = Male, 2 = Female. Click the cell, then the small … button. In Data View, View › Value Labels shows words instead of codes.
- 5
MissingCodes that mean "no answer", such as 99. SPSS leaves them out of every calculation.
- 6
MeasureNominal, Ordinal or Scale. That's the next lesson.
Practise it yourself
Reading is only half of it. The lesson has 5 quick questions where you tap through the SPSS menus, read the output and choose the right write-up, with instant feedback on every answer.
More in Find your way around