Missing values

Missing values defines specified data values as user-missing. For example, you might want to distinguish between data that are missing because a respondent refused to answer and data that are missing because the question didn't apply to that respondent. Data values that are specified as user-missing are flagged for special treatment and are excluded from most calculations.

  • User-missing value specifications are saved with the data file. You do not need to redefine user-missing values each time you open the data file.
  • You can enter up to three discrete (individual) missing values, a range of missing values, or a range plus one discrete value.
  • Ranges can be specified only for numeric variables.
  • All string values, including null or blank values, are considered to be valid unless you explicitly define them as missing.
  • Missing values for string variables cannot exceed eight bytes. (There is no limit on the defined width of the string variable, but defined missing values cannot exceed eight bytes.)
  • To define null or blank values as missing for a string variable, enter a single space in one of the fields under the Discrete missing values selection.

Defining missing values

  1. Open a dataset and make the Variables tab the active tab.
  2. Select a Missing values cell for the appropriate variable to display the User-missing values dialog.
  3. Click the Enable toggle control, select either Up to 3 discrete values or Range from the Definition drop-down list.
    • When Up to 3 discrete values is selected, click Add discrete value and enter a discrete value that represents missing data. You can repeat the process up to three time.
    • When Range is selected enter the values or range of values that represent missing data.
Notes:
  • All string values, including null or blank values, are considered to be valid unless you explicitly define them as missing.
  • Missing values for string variables cannot exceed eight bytes. (There is no limit on the defined width of the string variable, but defined missing values cannot exceed eight bytes.)
  • To define null or blank values as missing for a string variable, click Add discrete value and enter a single space in the Value field.