In version 7, how do I perform what was known as a Relational Hierarchical Variable Merge in version 6?
In the Merge Options dialog (accessible by selecting Merge from the Data menu), select the Variables tab. Then, select the Match variables check box in the Mode group box, select the Copy down option button in the Multiple Cases group box, and click the OK button. I want to merge the variables of one data set with another and have the cases matched up by multiple unique identifier variables. This is necessary because my primary identifier variable may have duplicates, and a secondary identifier variable is used as a “back up” comparison variable. Can merging in version 7 accept such a specification? In version 7, you can now select multiple variables by which to match when using the Match variables mode (accessible in the Merge Options dialog – Variables tab, Mode group box). The variables between the two data sets will be paired together in the (column) order that they appear in the data set.
