SPSS Topics Discussion > Centering a variable in SPSS
Great question Dina!
There isn't a direct command to center data in SPSS syntax (at least not that I know about), but there are ways that you can accomplish the task with syntax, which I'll be happy to try and explain. Before I do though, it must ask what kind of centering you are trying to accomplish? This is critical, as different types would require different syntax. Some options are: "grand mean centering", "group mean centering"...etc
What did you have in mind?
Jeremy Taylor
I guess I would like to learn both grand-mean and group-mean centering...if that is ok:)
Dina
Hi Dina!
SPSS doesn't have a specific command to center a variable (to my knowledge), but you can write syntax to accomplish the task (kind-of a work around). I'll post a link below that will allow you to download an example SPSS syntax file that you can use as a template by simply replacing "XXXX" with your variable names. There are instructions in the file to perform both a "grand mean" centering and a "group mean" centering. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have more questions!
Jeremy Taylor
I will give it a try. Thank you much!
Dina
My pleasure! Please let me know either way, whether it works or not! I'm always looking for ways to improve my syntax!
Jeremy Taylor
Hi, Your syntax worked great. I tested it out with many different variables
Thanks Jeremy!
Tracy
I'm glad it was helpful, Tracy!
Jeremy Taylor
hi is it possible to have the syntax file ? I am trying to center some of my data and I am struggling... thank you
meltem
Dear Meltem (and others),
I actually hadn't realized that my previously posted link to the syntax was no longer working, so thank you for bringing that to my attention. If you click it now, it should be working again and should either download a file or take you to a page with text that can be copied into a syntax (depending on your browser).
Also, here is the link a second time:
Jeremy Taylor
Thanks Agnes!
Jeremy Taylor
Hi Jeremy,
I just clicked on both links to download the syntax but both of them seem broken. They re-routed me to a dropbox page but mentions a 404 error.
Would you be able to post it again?
Would be most appreciated!
Thanks!
Chris
Hey Chris (and anyone else trying to obtain the syntax),
Sorry for the broken links, dropbox seems to be giving me problems lately. Try this link:
Jeremy Taylor
Thanks Jeremy! You're a life saver :D
Shelter
Awesome, thank you!!!
teacherusa
Thank you!!!!
Catheryn
hi Jeremy Taylor, I triesd to use your SPSS syntax but it did not worked, I do not understand why?
eda manuoğlu
Hi Jeremy,
This is a great website!
I was wondering if you know of a SPSS syntax command, or any other alternative to using COMPUTE option in the pull down menu, to center a variable. Even though, it is generally not that hard to use compute to subtract the mean, I always wonder if there is a more efficient and quicker way to center a variable in SPSS. Thank you for your help!