11.11 VALUE LABELS

The values of a variable can be associated with an arbitrary text string. In this way, a short value can stand for a longer, more descriptive label.

Both numeric and string variables can be given labels. For string variables, the values are case-sensitive, so that, for example, a capitalized value and its lowercase variant would have to be labeled separately if both are present in the data.

VALUE LABELS
        /var_list valuelabel’ [valuelabel’]...

VALUE LABELS allows values of variables to be associated with labels.

To set up value labels for one or more variables, specify the variable names after a slash (‘/’), followed by a list of values and their associated labels, separated by spaces.

Value labels in output are normally broken into lines automatically. Put ‘\n’ in a label string to force a line break at that point. The label may still be broken into lines at additional points.

Before VALUE LABELS is executed, any existing value labels are cleared from the variables specified. Use ADD VALUE LABELS (see ADD VALUE LABELS) to add value labels without clearing those already present.