Nodes palette

Most of the data and modeling tools in SPSS® Modeler are available from the Nodes Palette, across the bottom of the window below the stream canvas.

Figure 1. SPSS Modeler workspace (default view)

For example, the Record Ops palette tab contains nodes that you can use to perform operations on the data records, such as selecting, merging, and appending.

To add nodes to the canvas, double-click icons from the Nodes Palette or drag them onto the canvas. You then connect them to create a stream, representing the flow of data.

Each palette tab contains a collection of related nodes used for different phases of stream operations, such as:

Sources nodes bring data into SPSS Modeler.
Record Ops nodes perform operations on data records, such as selecting, merging, and appending.
Field Ops nodes perform operations on data fields, such as filtering, deriving new fields, and determining the measurement level for given fields.
Graphs nodes graphically display data before and after modeling. Graphs include plots, histograms, web nodes, and evaluation charts.
Modeling nodes use the modeling algorithms available in SPSS Modeler, such as neural nets, decision trees, clustering algorithms, and data sequencing.
Database Modeling nodes use the modeling algorithms available in Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Db2, and Oracle and Netezza databases.
Output nodes produce various output for data, charts, and model results that can be viewed in SPSS Modeler.
Export nodes produce various output that can be viewed in external applications, such as IBM® SPSS Data Collection or Excel.
IBM SPSS Statistics nodes import data from, or export data to, IBM SPSS Statistics, as well as running IBM SPSS Statistics procedures.
Python nodes can be used to run Python algorithms.
Spark nodes can be used to run Spark algorithms.

As you become more familiar with SPSS Modeler, you can customize the palette contents for your own use.

On the left side of the Nodes Palette, you can filter the nodes that display by selecting Supervised, Association, or Segmentation.

Located below the Nodes Palette, a report pane provides feedback on the progress of various operations, such as when data is being read into the data stream. Also located below the Nodes Palette, a status pane provides information on what the application is currently doing, as well as indications of when user feedback is required.

Note: If using a MacBook with the built-in trackpad's Force Click and haptic feedback setting enabled, dragging and dropping nodes from the nodes palette to the stream canvas can result in duplicate nodes being added to the canvas. To avoid this issue, we recommend disabling the Force Click and haptic feedback trackpad system preference.