Input data
If you want to transfer your data into SAS, SPSS, or some other program,
follow these guidelines:
The cells in Row 1 should contain the column's eventual data set name.
Each name should be a relatively short and unique acronym that clearly identifies
the data. It should begin with a letter and contain only letters, numbers, or
an underscore ( _ ) where spaces would naturally fall. Avoid using special characters
such as $, &, @, in variable names. Since each row represents the values
from one subject, the first column(s) should contain one or more variables
that give each subject a unique identifier. They become especially important
if you
need to merge two or more data files.
In Excel, data formats are defined for a range of cells rather than for
a complete column. For this reason it is important that each entire column,
including
cells with missing or uncollected data, have one, and only one, format.
Actually,
you
do not need to format the entire column, only the portion you will eventually
use. Highlight that portion and select the appropriate format from the
Format/Cells option. Do not select formats that will enter commas, dollar
signs, or other
visual enhancements. Numeric, text, and date formats (e.g. mm/dd/yy is
often a good choice) are probably the only formats you'll ever need.
The "Split" option (under the "Window" pull-down menu)
keeps the row of variable names and the columns of identifiers in view, whatever
range of cells in the worksheet you may need to review. First place the cursor
at the most extreme upper left-hand corner where data entry begins (e.g., the
intersection of Row 2 and the column in the upper left-hand corner where data
appear) and then select "Split" from this menu. For any row or column
of the worksheet you move to, you'll know exactly which variables
you are observing (column names) and their associated ID values (rows).
For versions of Excel later than 4.0, one file can contain multiple worksheets.
By default, the tabs at the bottom of these sheets are supplied names ("sheet1," "sheet2," etc.).
You can change these names by clicking this space with your mouse and entering
a new name. Use the same conventions for first-row variable names: use
a short acronym of the page contents that begins with a letter, use only
letters or
numbers, and enter the underscore ( _ ) where a space naturally falls.
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