Understanding SPSS variable types and formats allows you to get things done faster and more reliably. Tutorial with test data and examples.

Variable formats determine how raw data is read into storage and how values are displayed and written. For example, all dates and times are stored internally as numeric values, but you can …

If you understand SPSS variable formats and types, it will help you in getting things done accurately and quickly. Learn the format and type of SPSS variables and get in control of your …

Dec 5, 2025 · In order for your data analysis to be accurate, it is imperative that you correctly identify the type and formatting of each variable.

SPSS has its own format for storing data and writes files with the .sav extension. This file format contains special codes and usually can't be used to export your data to another application. It's …

SPSS FORMATS command is mostly used for setting decimal places for numeric variables. FORMATS also displays SPSS date and time values properly.

Numeric variables created by COMPUTE, COUNT, or other commands that create numeric variables are assigned a format type of F8.2 (or the default numeric format defined on SET …

SPSS can read and export data according to columnar or Fortran specifications. Generally speaking, these formats look like (FORMAT,d) and (FORMATw.d) respectively.

Choose the format that best fits your data. Your selection determines how SPSS will format the contents of the variable for display. This format also determines, to some extent, the form in …

Oct 28, 1990 · Date and time formats are both input and output formats. Like numeric formats, each input format generates a default output format, automatically expanded (if necessary) to …