help labmvs
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Title

     labmvs -- Change numeric values associated with value labels to extended
missing values


Syntax

        labmvs [varlist] [if] [in] , mv("label" ["label" ...]) [ options ]


Description

    labmvs changes numeric values associated with labels to extended missing
    values. Numeric values are changed to successive extended missing value
    codes, starting with .a. Thus, the numeric value associated with the
    first label specified, will be coded .a, the value associated with the
    second label, .b and so on. Value labels are modified accordingly.

    Up to 26 labels may be specified in mv(). Enclose label in double quotes
    if it contains embedded spaces. If varlist is not specified it defaults
    to _all.

    Although it is not recommended, the wild cards * and ? may be used in
    label, where the fromer means 0 or more characters, the latter exactly
    one character. Specifying wild cards is discouraged, as it might result
    in multiple numeric values changed to only one missing value code, with
    the value label of the last numeric value attached. This will not be
    reversible.

    Reminder: modifiactions in value labels affect all variables that have
    the same value label as one of the variables in namelist attached.


Remarks

    As of version 1.0.1 of the program, labmvs is compatiple with Stata 9.2
    (or higher). The code for labmvs9 will not be removed from the package,
    but I recommend using labmvs instead.


Options

    mv(labels) specifies text in value labels indicating numeric values to be
        changed to extended missing value codes. This is a required option.

    allvars changes numeric values to extended missing values in all
        variables that have the same value label as one of the variables in
        varlist attached.

    casesensitive performs a case sensitive search for labels in value
        labels.

    nodelete prevents labmvs from deleting value labels that are changed. If
        specified, numeric missing values and extended missing value codes
        will be associated with the same text.

    fmvc(mvc) specifies the first extended missing value code to be used.
        Default is .a. Note that the maximum number of labels allowed in mv()
        will be reduced if mvc > .a


Example

        . sysuse nlsw88
        . tabulate race
        . label list racelbl

        . labmvs race ,mv(other)
        . tabulate race
        . tabulate race ,missing
        . label list racelbl

    Decode missing values
        . labmvs occ ,mv("Transport" "Sales")

    Encode missing values using labmv
        . labmv `r(varlist)' ,mv(`r(occupation)') encode


Saved results

    labmvs saves the following in r():

    Macros
      r(minmvc)      minimum extended missing value code (if specified)
      r(varlist)     varlist (only variables that are changed)
      r(lblnamelist) value labels
      r(varname)     numeric values in varname that are changed


Author

    Daniel Klein, University of Kassel, klein.daniel.81@gmail.com


Also see

    Online: mvdecode, label

    if installed: labelmiss, labutil2