SPSS Update
The UPDATE command overwrites values in a dataset with non-missing values from another dataset.
Contents
Usage
update file=foo /file=bar /by KEYVARS.
The master file is modified in-place. Rows and columns originating from a transaction file are appended.
The key variables must be defined with the same format in each dataset. Cases must be uniquely identified by the key variables in each dataset.
The requirement for same format includes a requirement for same length of string variables, except in PSPP version 2.0 or later.
Each dataset must be presorted by the key variables.
File
Each /FILE subcommand takes one of:
a star (*) indicating the active data set
- the name of a data set
a filename or file handle
Data Model
The UPDATE command reads all datasets and data files named on /FILE subcommands.
Execution of the UPDATE command is deferred until the active dataset is read, or until one of the EXECUTE, SAVE, or SORT CASES commands are used.
The UPDATE command recognizes FILTER status and preserves it, although filtered cases are included in the final dataset.