{smcl}
{* 05mar2002}{...}
{hline}
help for {hi:varlab}{right:[P.Joly]}
{hline}

{title:Save and load variable labels}

{p 8 14}
{cmd:varlab save}
[{it:varlist}]
{cmd:using} {it:filename}
[{cmd:,}
   {cmd:replace}
]

{p 8 14}
{cmd:varlab load}
[{it:varlist}]
{cmd:using} {it:filename}
[{cmd:,}
   {cmd:replace}
]


{title:Description}

{p}
{cmd:varlab save} saves the variable labels of variables in {it:varlist} using {it:filename}.

{p}
{cmd:varlab load} loads the variable labels of variables in {it:varlist} using {it:filename}.
Extraneous variable labels are ignored.

{p}
{it:filename} is saved or retrieved from the current directory unless
the full path and filename is specified in {it:filename} (see help {help cd}).
If {it:filename} is specified without an extension, {cmd:.lbl} is
assumed.
If no varlist is specified, labels are saved or retrieved for all
variables in the data, if defined.


{title:Options}

{p 0 4}
{cmd:replace} carries a different meaning depending on whether
it is used in conjucntion with {cmd:varlab save} or {cmd:varlab load}.
With {cmd:varlab save}, {cmd:replace} specifies that {it:filename} be
overwritten if it exists.
When used with {cmd:varlab load}, {cmd:replace} means that labels of
variables in {it:varlist} be overwritten if they exists.
By default, existing labels are held inviolate.
(In this context, its meaning is consistent with that of option
{hi:replace} in {cmd:merge} (see help {help merge}).)


{title:Author}

Patrick Joly, Industry Canada
pat.joly@utoronto.ca


{title:Also see}

{p 0 19}
On-line:  help for {help label}{p_end}
