11/8/2019 Weight cases

Try IBM SPSS Statistics subscription

Make it easier to perform powerful statistical analysis
Start a free trial 

Home  SPSS Statistics 24.0.0  Help  Core System  File handling and file transformations 
Previous Next

Weight cases
Search in all products

Search in this product... 

 Table of Contents Change version or product 

Rate this content

 Print  PDF   Help Take a tour
 Data preparation

 Data Transformations

 File handling and file transformations

Sort cases
Sort variables
Transpose
 Merging Data Files

 Aggregate Data

Split file
 Select cases

Weight cases
 Restructuring Data

 Working with output

 Pivot tables

 Models

 Automated Output Modification

 Working with Command Syntax

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSLVMB_24.0.0/spss/base/idh_weig.html 1/4
11/8/2019 Weight cases
Working with Command Syntax
 Building Charts

 Editing Charts

 Creating and Editing Graphboard Visualizations

 Scoring data with predictive models

 Utilities

Rate this content

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSLVMB_24.0.0/spss/base/idh_weig.html 2/4
11/8/2019 Weight cases

Weight Cases gives cases different weights (by simulated replication) for statistical analysis.

• The values of the weighting variable should indicate the number of observations
represented by single cases in your data file.

• Cases with zero, negative, or missing values for the weighting variable are excluded from
analysis.

• Fractional values are valid and some procedures, such as Frequencies, Crosstabs, and
Custom Tables, will use fractional weight values. However, most procedures treat the
weighting variable as a replication weight and will simply round fractional weights to the
nearest integer. Some procedures ignore the weighting variable completely, and this
limitation is noted in the procedure-specific documentation.

Once you apply a weight variable, it remains in effect until you select another weight variable
or turn off weighting. If you save a weighted data file, weighting information is saved with the
data file. You can turn off weighting at any time, even after the file has been saved in weighted
form.

Weights in Crosstabs. The Crosstabs procedure has several options for handling case weights.

Rate this content

See the topic Crosstabs cell display for more information.

Weights in scatterplots and histograms. Scatterplots and histograms have an option for
turning case weights on and off, but this does not affect cases with a zero, negative, or missing
value for the weight variable. These cases remain excluded from the chart even if you turn
weighting off from within the chart.

To Weight Cases

1. From the menus choose:

Data > Weight Cases...

2. Select Weight cases by.

3. Select a frequency variable.

The values of the frequency variable are used as case weights. For example, a case with a
value of 3 for the frequency variable will represent three cases in the weighted data file.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSLVMB_24.0.0/spss/base/idh_weig.html 3/4
11/8/2019 Weight cases

Please note that DISQUS operates this forum. When you sign in to comment, IBM will provide your
email, first name and last name to DISQUS. That information, along with your comments, will be
governed by DISQUS’ privacy policy. By commenting, you are accepting the DISQUS terms of service.

Sign In

Comments

t Tweet f Share Sort by Best

Nothing in this discussion yet.

🔒 Disqus' Privacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyPrivacy

Rate this content

Do you want to...
Open a ticket and download fixes at the IBM Find a best practice for integrating
Support Portal technologies in IBM Redbooks

Find a technical tutorial in IBM Developer Explore, learn and succeed with training on
the IBM Skills Gateway

Contact Privacy Terms of use Accessibility Feedback Cookie preferences

English 

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSLVMB_24.0.0/spss/base/idh_weig.html 4/4