= SPSS Scratch Variables =

A '''scratch variable''' is a temporary variable that is not initialized between cases. As a program iterates over each row of data, scratch variables retain their value.

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== Declaration ==

Scratch variables are declared with a hash (`#`) prefix. Try:

{{{
compute #TotalSales = sum(Sales, #TotalSales).
}}}

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== Usage ==

Scratch variables are firstly useful as temporary variables. They are automatically deleted in the next [[SPSS/Execute|execution]].

Scratch variables can also be used to aggregate data.

{{{
compute #TotalSales = sum(Sales, #TotalSales).
compute Total_Sales = #TotalSales.
}}}



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