Compute Variable: Type and Label

By default, new computed variables are numeric. To compute a new string variable, you must specify the data type and width.

Label. Optional, descriptive variable label up to 255 bytes long. You can enter a label or use the first 110 characters of the compute expression as the label.

Type. Computed variables can be numeric or string (alphanumeric). String variables cannot be used in calculations.

Specifying Type and Label for Computed Variables

1. From the menus choose:

   Transform > Compute Variable...

2. In the Compute dialog box, select Type & Label.
3. Select the data type. This is required for new string variables.