The SPSS Data File in Q Contains Variables Not in the Original Data File

When Q imports a data file, it will, from time-to-time, automatically create variables that are not in the original data file. This will occur due to automatic correction of errors and SPSS Multiple Response Sets.

Identifying variables created by Q

Any variables created by Q will appear in the Variables and Questions tab with a black font in the Name field (e.g., ), whereas variables that exist in the data file are shown with a grey name (e.g., ).

Scenarios when Q automatically creates variables

Automatic correction of errors

When importing a data file Q automatically scans for common problems in data files and automatically fixes these. Sometimes the fix involves creating new variables and hiding variables in the data file. You can avoid this occurring by pressing No to the initial questions asked at the time of importing the data file.

Overlapping SPSS Multiple Response Sets

SPSS data files can indicate that some variables can be grouped together into Multiple Response Sets. In SPSS one variable can appear in multiple Multiple Response Sets. Multiple Response Sets are represented in Q as Pick Any questions. Q only permits a variable to be in a single Multiple Response Sets. Thus, if the SPSS data file indicates a variable appears in multiple Multiple Response Sets, Q makes additional copies of the variable. The only way to avoid this occurring is to modify the original SPSS data file.