Which SPSS commands convert string to numeric variables?

Troubleshooting

Problem

I'm using SPSS for Windows. In the past, I've been able to convert variables I have stored in a string format to numeric variables simply by opening a Define Variable menu and checking the appropriate option under the Type button. SPSS echoes in my Output Viewer (or Navigator, or Window) a FORMATS command specifying my string variable name and a format of F8. Now I'd like to do the same thing in an SPSS command file. Yet when I include the very command SPSS claims to have used in converting my previous variable, I get a message saying FORMATS strngvar (F8). >Error # 4836 in column 9. Text: STRNGVAR >Only the formats A and AHEX can be applied to string variables. >This command not executed. If this command works when SPSS changes the format in the Define Variable menu, why doesn't it work when I invoke it through command syntax?

Symptom

[{"Product":{"code":"SSLVMB","label":"IBM SPSS Statistics"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":"Not Applicable","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"19.0","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}}]

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Historical Number

14810

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Document Information

More support for:
IBM SPSS Statistics

Software version:
19.0

Document number:
417605

Modified date:
16 April 2020

UID

swg21476065

IBM Support

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