Bin Data in IBM SPSS Modeler

To improve your experience using IBM SPSS Modeler, the Version 1 SPSS experts have created various Tech Tips. This Tech Tip shows how to group or bin data in IBM SPSS Modeler. 

IBM SPSS Modeler is an extensive predictive analytics platform designed to bring predictive intelligence to decisions made by individuals, groups, systems, and the enterprise. Modeler has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop user interface with a complete set of tools for accessing data, data examination, preparation, modelling, evaluation, and deployment.  

IBM SPSS Modeler users have a complete toolset to build predictive models from start to finish. Modeler uses node-based, visual programming. Users pick nodes from palettes and place them on the stream canvas. Once nodes have been placed on the stream canvas and edited, they can be linked to form a stream. A stream represents a flow of data through several operations (nodes) to a destination that can be in the form of output (either text or chart), a model, or the export of data to another format (e.g., a database).  

Binning or grouping data is a common task in the data preparation phase of modelling. For example, you have numeric data that you want to split into groups. The Binning node in IBM SPSS Modeler makes grouping data easy and is located on the Field Ops palette. 

To group or bin data in IBM SPSS Modeler, go to the Field Ops palette. Select the Binning node and drag it onto the stream canvas. You can also double-click the node to drop it onto the stream canvas. Once it is on the canvas, you can connect it to your stream. Double-click to open the node.

Use the Bin fields drop-down to select the field to group. Select the binning method. Click on the Bin Values tab and click Read Values to see how the data will be binned. Click OK. The new binned field will be available in your data set. You can also click on Preview to see your new field. Data preparation nodes, such as the binning node, allow users to quickly examine and prepare data before and during the model-building process.