{smcl} {hline} help for {hi:spellmerge}{right:(E. Leuven)} {hline} {title:Merge adjacent records of time-span data} {p 8 15}{cmdab:spellmerge}, {cmdab:spell(}{it:start} {it:end}{cmdab:)} [{cmdab:by(}{it:varlist}{cmdab:)} {cmd:gap(}{it:days}{cmd:)}] {title:Description} {p}{cmd:spellmerge} merges observations of timespan data that are adjacent. id date0 date1 1. 1 1jan2000 2jan2000 2. 1 2jan2000 8jan2000 3. 1 12jan2000 20jan2000 becomes id date0 date1 1. 1 1jan2000 8jan2000 3. 1 12jan2000 20jan2000 {title:Options} {p 0 4}{cmdab:by(}{it:varlist}{cmd:)} specify subset within which merging must take place. Usually an identifyer, but typically should include time-varying characteristics as well. {p 0 4}{cmdab:gap(}{it:days}{cmd:)} specify maximum gap (in days) between spell for it to be considered adjacent. Default is zero. {title:Author} {p}E. Leuven, Department of Economics, University of Amsterdam. If you observe any problems {browse "mailto:e.leuven@uva.nl"}.