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Sort

With Sort the records are ordered according to the values of a specified variable.

Numerical data, numbers and label codes, may be sorted in decreasing or increasing value.

Alphanumerical data, characters and text, are sorted alphabetically.

Increasing is from a to z. Decreasing is from z to a.

If a selection is made in the file, the selected records appear first, followed by the records which were not selected.

Records with a missing value (*) are at the end.

Divide

With the split option you can divide the data in subgroups. For example, you can divide a group of students into a group of girls and a group of boys. If you produce a table or graph, it will show this division.

divide.

Filter

A simple, but frequently-used filter, is the criterion equal, or unequal.

If the variable is numeric/quantitative then you can see the distribution of the chosen variable, which helps you to define the criteria. With a filter you can select use equal, unequal, and combinations of these, or missing value(*).

For categorical/label variables, and multiple-response variables, you select those labels which are to be included.

Filter with formula

A more advanced filter method works with a filter formula. The criterion must be entered as a formula. You can use the calculator to enter the formula. In the formula, the normal rules for mathematical expressions apply. You may use brackets to specify the order of the calculation. Variables are enclosed in square brackets: [variable]. When you click on the calculator, this happens automatically, but when typing you must not forget the brackets.

There are a number of special functions which you can use when creating formulas. They are divided into the categories: random numbers, statistical functions, mathematical functions, and logical functions

Insert before a variable

You are given a window in which to enter a new variable.

This new variable will be placed before the current column.

Insert after a variable

You are given a window in which to enter a new variable.

This new variable will be placed after the current column.