In SPSS, how do I set a variable to the system missing value?
In SPSS, $sysmis is the name of the system missing value.
You can include this in a compute statement or in an
if statement, as you would any other variable name. For
example, if you want to generate the variable temp, which
equals the system missing value, the syntax would look like this:
A more common scenario would be to use this variable in a conditional
statement. For example, suppose you have two variables
(v1 and v2), and you wish to recode all
cases of v2 to be equal to the system missing value where
v1 is also system missing. Rather than using the
recode command, use an if statement like
this:
You can use the variable $sysmis only as a value; you
cannot use it in the actual conditional statement. If you are
searching for cases where v1 is equal to the system
missing value, you get this:
When using recode and if statements, set up
a condition using the missing value by specifying
sysmis(variable). Do not use the regular
= (equals) sign.
If you have questions about using statistical and mathematical software at Indiana University, email UITS Research Analytics (formerly known as the Stat/Math Center). Research Analytics is located on the IU Bloomington campus at 410 N. Park Avenue and is open for consultation by appointment Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. For more, visit Research Analytics on the web, or call 812-855-4724 (IUB) or 317-278-4740 (IUPUI).
Last modified on September 26, 2012.
