st: dummies from categorical variable

[Jennifer Baxter <Jennifer.Baxter@aifs.gov.au>]

I  have a categorical variable with >200 possible values, but  
depending on which dataset I use, some of the possible values are not  
filled.  I want to create dummy values from this variable that are the  
same regardless of which dataset I use, ie that reflect all possible  
values of that variable.

If I use:

 tab ACTIVITY, gen(ACT),

 the dummy variables don't align across datasets because dummies are  
not created when no respondents report a particular activity.

I could loop over the possible values instead:

foreach act of numlist 1/215 {
qui: gen ACT `act'=(ACTIVITY ==`act')
}

and this works well, except the variable labels aren't then attached  
to the dummy variables, and I really want them to be.


Is there an alternative to "tab" that I could use, with an option to  
also create dummies for empty cells?
Or, is there a way I can attach variable labels in the loop above  
based on the value labels of the original variable (as is done in tab  
xx, gen(xxx)) ?

Thanks,
Jenny



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