Re: st: converting multiple choice (string) response options to numeric values

[David Kantor <kantor.d@att.net>]

At 06:30 AM 2/7/2014, Nick Cox wrote:
> This is quite a common problem, and it's easy to get bitten.
>
> label def mylabels 1 "A" 2 "B" 3 "C" 4 "D" 5 "E"
>
> foreach v of var <varlist> {
>      encode `v', gen(n_`v') label(mylabels)
> }
>
> is a sketch of how to do it. You must replace <varlist> by an actual varlist.
>
> Alternatively, as said, look at -multencode- (SSC).
> [...]

I would add that the -noextend- option on encode may be desirable. It 
assures that no unexpected values are found among the original 
textual values. By default, they would get added to the label in the 
order received, which may not be desirable.

HTH
--David

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