How do I add or delete variables (columns of data)?

  1. Perhaps the easiest way to add variables to an existing data file is to expand the spreadsheet beyond the existing columns and double-click on the gray area of the spreadsheet to display the Add Cases and/or Variables dialog box.

  2. Specify the number of variables to add and click the OK button. The new variables are added to the right of the data file.
  3. Variables can also be added to and deleted from a data file.
    • Use the drag-and-drop operation (insert to add columns, for more information, see drag-and-drop features).
    • Ribbon bar. Select the Data tab and in the Variables group, click Variables and select the appropriate option from the menu, or classic menus - click the button on the spreadsheet toolbar and select the appropriate option.
How to add variables before variable 1
The quickest way to add variables before variable 1:

Ribbon bar. Select the Data tab. In the Variables group, click Variables and from the menu, select Add Variables.

Classic menus. On the spreadsheet Insert menu, select Add Variables.

  1. In the After box of the Add Variables dialog box, type 0, which references the variable number. When the variable number is 0, it effectively means that you are inserting before the first variable.

  2. After you click the OK button, a new variable is inserted before the first variable of your spreadsheet.

  3. The name of the new variable is the name specified in the Name box of the Add Variables dialog box. See also, Range of Numeric Values that Can Be Entered or Stored in Cells.