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SPSS Trainer Tip: ShowCase® Analyzer™

Instructor profile


Name: Jane Black Eagle

About Jane: Jane, a senior solutions consultant, has worked for SPSS since 1997. She has successfully helped numerous SPSS customers solve their business problems through the successful implementation of SPSS products. Jane holds both a BA in business administration and a BS in information systems.

Using a Personal Variable to facilitate the selection of members

You can use a Personal Variable to define and name complex member selections in ShowCase Analyzer. A Personal Variable serves as a container for dimension members—so you can select a Personal Variable instead of having to select the members each time you want display them in a report. Once you define a Personal Variable, you can use it any time you are presented with the corresponding dimension and database connection.

When you create or modify a report and select a dimension for which a Personal Variable is defined, the Personal Variable is displayed in the Dimension Browser along with the list of all members in the dimension. You can select the Personal Variable alone, or all other members from the dimension.

Follow these steps to create a Personal Variable:

1. Select the Databases tab from User Preferences.
2. Select the database for which you want to create the Personal Variable and click Edit.
3. Connect to the database.
4. Select the Personal Variable tab and click Add.
5. Enter a name for the Personal Variable in the NAME field.
6. Go to the Dimension drop-down list and choose a dimension from the selected database connection. The Dimension Browser for the selected dimension is displayed.
7. Select the dimension members to be included in the Personal Variable.

8. Click OK.


To use a Personal Variable:
1. Create a new report.
2. Select the data source that contains the Personal Variable.
3. Select the dimension, and the Personal Variable will be displayed as a selection.

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4. Select the Personal Variable and any other members or member combinations.
5. Complete your report and the members of the Personal Variables are displayed.



Other users can also create Personal Variables using the same name, dimension, and database connection that contain different member selections. This technique enables you—or a colleague—to create hybrid reports that feature both generic and user-specific content.

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