SPSS - Tech Tips

Working with multiple open data sources in SPSS 14.0 for Windows®

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Question

Does SPSS 14.0 for Windows allow multiple open data sources?

Answer

Yes, a time-saving new feature in SPSS 14.0 for Windows is the ability to have multiple open data sources. This makes it easier for you to compare data files, copy data and attributes from one file to another, and merge multiple data sources without first saving each source as a sorted SPSS data file.

Each open data source is displayed in a new SPSS Data Editor window (see Figure 1 below).

Figure 1: Each open data source is displayed in a new SPSS Data Editor window.
Click image to enlarge.

When you work with multiple open data sources:

Any previously open data sources remain open for further use
The most recently opened data source automatically becomes the working data file
You can change the working data file by simply clicking anywhere in the relevant SPSS Data Editor window, or by selecting the relevant SPSS Data Editor window from the Window menu

Here are a few cautions to keep in mind when working with multiple open data sources:

Only the variables in the working data file are available for analysis
You can't change the working data file when any dialog that accesses the data is open. This includes all dialogs that display variable lists.
You must have at least one SPSS Data Editor window open during a session. When you close the last SPSS Data Editor window, SPSS will automatically shut down, prompting you to save changes first.
If you use command syntax (e.g., GET FILE, GET DATA) to open data sources, you'll need to explicitly name each dataset to have more than one data source open simultaneously. For example:

GET

	FILE='C:\Program Files\SPSS\1991 U.S. General Social Survey.sav'.

	DATASET NAME DataSet1.


	GET

	FILE='C:\Program Files\SPSS\Anxiety.sav'.

	DATASET NAME DataSet2.

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SPSS Tech Tips

Working with multiple open data sources in SPSS 14.0 for Windows®

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