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
- Open a dataset and make the Variables tab the active tab.
- Select a Missing values cell for the appropriate variable to display the User-missing values dialog.
- 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.