Order Fields in a File 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 order fields in a file 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). Ordering fields in Modeler is easy and allows users to find fields in large data files and define field order.

Go to the Field Ops palette to reorder fields in a data file. Select the Field Reorder 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. The settings will allow you to determine the field order in the file. Select the field(s) to move. To reorder multiple fields, select fields from the field chooser drop-down menu. Click to select each field and click OK. To move fields to the start of the data file, click on the up arrow with the line. These chosen fields will be the first three fields in your data file. You can click on the Preview button to check your data.