Column Actions
Once you have opened a data set, there are multiple actions you can perform on
the columns to format the contents of the data set.
Showing/Hiding Columns
You have the option to get rid of columns that you are not interested in.
To choose which columns to display in a table:
- Select "Options" from the menu. ["Options" appears only when the data set is (or is filtered to) less than 65,000 rows]
- Click on "Select Columns".
A new window will pop-up containing all column headings available for the data set selected,
divided into either control fields (categorical variables) or a data items (numerical variables).
Each control field has two checkboxes for each available column heading, which are:
- Value - displays the numeric value, usually a code, for the field.
- Meaning - displays the meaning of the numeric value.
- Check and uncheck the columns you wish to keep and hide, respectively.
- Click "Update".
The selected columns will be displayed in the resulting data set.
Reordering Columns
You have the option to rearrange the order in which the columns are displayed in a data set.
To reorder columns:
- Select "Options" from the menu. ["Options" appears only when the data set is (or is filtered to) less than 65,000 rows]
- Click on "Select Columns".
- Click on the "Order Columns" tab.
- Change the column order by selecting a column heading (data item) and clicking
the up or down arrow buttons.
- Click "Update".
The columns will be reordered in the resulting data set.
Creating New (Custom) Columns
You have the option to create new or customize columns in a table. This can help create custom
ratios, like payroll per employee or sales per establishment.
To create a new column:
- Select "Options" from the menu. ["Options" appears only when the data set is (or is filtered to) less than 65,000 rows]
- Click on "Create Columns".
- Select an operator: ratio or percentage (%) change.
- Select two columns to perform the operation on.
- Enter a name for the new column.
- Click "Create".
- Click "Update".
The resulting data set includes the new custom column.