Re: st: syntax question - how to put the variable label into a macro

[Roger Newson <roger.newson@kcl.ac.uk>]

At 15:38 07/07/2004, Ginger Smith wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have some data set up in a funny way where the "data" is actually 
> contained in the variable label.
>
> The variables are mt_1_1996 mt_2_1996 mt_3_1996 etc. with an "X" in the 
> column to indicate that the observation goes with the city.  The names of 
> the city are in the variable label.
> I need to grab the variable label but am having trouble with the syntax.
>
> Here's my code that puts in Akron, OH wherever there is an "X" in any of 
> the variables:
>
> forvalues i = 1(1)89 {;
> local tempvar = "Akron, OH" ;
> replace mt_`i'_1996= "`tempvar'" if mt_`i'_1996=="X" ;
> };
>
> I want to do something like this (the second line is the problem):
>
> forvalues i = 1(1)89 {;
> local tempvar = variable label mt_`i'_1996 ;
> replace mt_`i'_1996= "`tempvar'" if mt_`i'_1996=="X" ;
> };
To get a variable label into a macro, use the -variable label- extended 
macro function, as in

local xlab: var lab x

where x is a variable. (Note that you use a colon instead of an = sign.) 
For more about extended macro functions, see -help macro- or -[P] macro-, 
where -[P]- is the Stata programming manual.

I hope this helps.

Roger




--
Roger Newson
Lecturer in Medical Statistics
Department of Public Health Sciences
King's College London
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Email: roger.newson@kcl.ac.uk
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Opinions expressed are those of the author, not the institution.

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