Getting Started with SPSS

The SPSS environment is composed of three main windows: Data Editor, Output Viewer and Syntax Editor.

The Data Editor opens immediately when SPSS starts, displaying the contents of the data file. You can create new data files or modify existing data files with the Data Editor. The Data Editor has two tabs in the left bottom corner: Data View and Variable View.

The Data View presents the whole data set. Each column in the Data View represents a variable and each row represents a case. 

The Variable View presents information of all variables.

The Output Viewer displays all statistical results, tables and charts. The Output Viewer opens automatically the first time you run a procedure that generates output.

The Syntax Editor enables users to control SPSS using the SPSS command language. Editing syntax commands can be useful when you want to use special features that are not available in the Data Editor’s menu. To open the Syntax Editor, select File > New > Syntax from the menu.

• Variable types

What is the difference between categorical, ordinal and interval variables?

• Setting variable properties (names, labels, types, measurement, etc.)