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Re: Merging datasets for different countries on SPSS [message #28724 is a reply to message #17446] Thu, 29 February 2024 07:18 Go to previous message
deng222 is currently offline  deng222
Messages: 1
Registered: February 2024
Location: New York
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Hello,
Here is how to achieve this.
Open Your Main Dataset: Start SPSS and open one of the datasets you want to merge.

Merge Files:

Go to the Data menu, select Merge Files, and then choose Add Cases... if you want to append the datasets (i.e., add rows/cases).
If instead, you are looking to add variables (i.e., add columns) from another dataset that matches cases on some identifier, you would select Add Variables....
Select the File to Merge:

For Add Cases, a dialog box will prompt you to select the file you want to append to the currently opened dataset. Navigate to the file, select it, and click Open.
For Add Variables, you will also need to specify the matching variable(s) in both datasets (the variable that identifies the same cases in both files).
Review and Adjust:

Add Cases: You'll have the opportunity to review the cases to be added. SPSS will attempt to match variables by name. Ensure that the variables intended to match between the datasets are correctly aligned.
Add Variables: You must ensure that the matching variables correctly align between your datasets and review how SPSS proposes to merge the additional variables.
Execute the Merge:

Follow through the dialog boxes, adjusting options as necessary. For appending cases, you might not need to do much more. For adding variables, ensure you've correctly identified the matching variables.
Finalize the merge process. SPSS will then append the dataset or add the variables as specified.
Save the Merged Dataset:

It's a good practice to save the merged dataset as a new file to avoid overwriting your original data.


[Updated on: Fri, 01 March 2024 08:07] by Moderator

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