SPSS® 12.0 Command Syntax Reference

RENAME VARIABLES
RENAME VARIABLES {(varname=varname) [(varname ...)]}
{(varnames=varnames) }
Example
RENAME VARIABLES (JOBCAT=TITLE).
Overview
RENAME VARIABLES changes the names of variables in the working data file while preserving
their original order, values, variable labels, value labels, missing values, and print
and write formats.
Basic Specification
• The basic specification is an old variable name, an equals sign, and the new variable
name. The equals sign is required.
Syntax Rules
• Multiple sets of variable specifications are allowed. Each set can be enclosed in parentheses.
• You can specify a list of old variable names followed by an equals sign and a list of new
variable names. The same number of variables must be specified on both lists. A single
set of parentheses enclosing the entire specification is required for this method.
• Keyword TO can be used on the left side of the equals sign to refer to variables in the
working data file, and on the right side of the equals sign to generate new variable names
(see the TO keyword on p. 23).
• Old variable names do not need to be specified according to their order in the working
data file.
• Name changes take place in one operation. Therefore, variable names can be exchanged
between two variables (see the example on p. 1387).
• Multiple RENAME VARIABLES commands are allowed.
• RENAME VARIABLES cannot follow either a TEMPORARY or a MODEL PROGRAM
command.
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