Mixing
Destring variables with fractions
I have string variables in my data that contain fractions and non-integers.
For example:
3 2/3
8 1/2
1.65
6 1/4
0.235
Stata cannot destring these variables with the destring command.
Is there anything I can do to convert my string variables to numeric so I can use them for analysis?
stata
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
add a comment |
I have string variables in my data that contain fractions and non-integers.
For example:
3 2/3
8 1/2
1.65
6 1/4
0.235
Stata cannot destring these variables with the destring command.
Is there anything I can do to convert my string variables to numeric so I can use them for analysis?
stata
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
add a comment |
I have string variables in my data that contain fractions and non-integers.
For example:
3 2/3
8 1/2
1.65
6 1/4
0.235
Stata cannot destring these variables with the destring command.
Is there anything I can do to convert my string variables to numeric so I can use them for analysis?
stata
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
I have string variables in my data that contain fractions and non-integers.
For example:
3 2/3
8 1/2
1.65
6 1/4
0.235
Stata cannot destring these variables with the destring command.
Is there anything I can do to convert my string variables to numeric so I can use them for analysis?
stata
stata
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
edited Nov 22 '18 at 11:14
Pearly Spencer
11.2k173663
11.2k173663
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
asked Nov 22 '18 at 10:56
Stephan ColbertStephan Colbert
233
233
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Below code, while extending to cases like " 3 2/3" or "- 6 1/4" (notice the spaces), might also be useful for saving some typings.
replace var1 = subinstr(var1, "- ", "-",.)
split var1, generate(x) destring force
egen y = ends(var1) if strmatch(var1,"*/*"), last
split y, destring force p("/")
replace x1 = cond(x1<0, x1-y1/y2, cond(x1!=.,x1+y1/y2, y1/y2)) if y1!=.
keep var1 x1
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
add a comment |
If all values in your string variables look the same as in your example, you can do the following:
clear
input str6 var1
"3 2/3"
"8 1/2"
"6/8"
"-2/3"
"1.65"
"-6 1/4"
"-0.235"
end
replace var1 = subinstr(var1," ",":", .)
replace var1 = "0:" + var1 if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = "-0:" + substr(var1, 2, .) if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = subinstr(var1,":"," ", .)
generate double var2 = real(var1) if !strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var2 = real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1)) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*")
replace var2 = - ( abs(real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & strmatch(var1, "-*")
For more information on the use of each function, type help followed by its
name: real(), strmatch(), substr(), subinstr(), strpos(), abs().
EDIT:
The aforementioned approach relies on string manipulation using Stata's string functions and hence is lengthier than the solution provided in the other answer.
Nevertheless, you can shorten the code a bit and improve readability as follows:
local m1 !strmatch(var1, "* *")
local m2 strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = cond(`m1' & !`m2', "0 " + var1, ///
cond(`m1' & `m2', "-0 " + substr(var1, 2, .), var1 + "" ) )
local e1 real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))
local e2 (real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) )
generate var2 = cond(!strmatch(var1, "*/*"), real(var1), ///
cond(!`m2', `e1' + `e2', - ( abs(`e1') + `e2' ) ) )
In both cases, you will get:
list, separator(0)
+---------------------+
| var1 var2 |
|---------------------|
1. | 3 2/3 3.6666667 |
2. | 8 1/2 8.5 |
3. | 0 6/8 .75 |
4. | -0 2/3 -.66666667 |
5. | 1.65 1.65 |
6. | -6 1/4 -6.25 |
7. | -0.235 -.235 |
+---------------------+
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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Below code, while extending to cases like " 3 2/3" or "- 6 1/4" (notice the spaces), might also be useful for saving some typings.
replace var1 = subinstr(var1, "- ", "-",.)
split var1, generate(x) destring force
egen y = ends(var1) if strmatch(var1,"*/*"), last
split y, destring force p("/")
replace x1 = cond(x1<0, x1-y1/y2, cond(x1!=.,x1+y1/y2, y1/y2)) if y1!=.
keep var1 x1
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
add a comment |
Below code, while extending to cases like " 3 2/3" or "- 6 1/4" (notice the spaces), might also be useful for saving some typings.
replace var1 = subinstr(var1, "- ", "-",.)
split var1, generate(x) destring force
egen y = ends(var1) if strmatch(var1,"*/*"), last
split y, destring force p("/")
replace x1 = cond(x1<0, x1-y1/y2, cond(x1!=.,x1+y1/y2, y1/y2)) if y1!=.
keep var1 x1
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
add a comment |
Below code, while extending to cases like " 3 2/3" or "- 6 1/4" (notice the spaces), might also be useful for saving some typings.
replace var1 = subinstr(var1, "- ", "-",.)
split var1, generate(x) destring force
egen y = ends(var1) if strmatch(var1,"*/*"), last
split y, destring force p("/")
replace x1 = cond(x1<0, x1-y1/y2, cond(x1!=.,x1+y1/y2, y1/y2)) if y1!=.
keep var1 x1
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
Below code, while extending to cases like " 3 2/3" or "- 6 1/4" (notice the spaces), might also be useful for saving some typings.
replace var1 = subinstr(var1, "- ", "-",.)
split var1, generate(x) destring force
egen y = ends(var1) if strmatch(var1,"*/*"), last
split y, destring force p("/")
replace x1 = cond(x1<0, x1-y1/y2, cond(x1!=.,x1+y1/y2, y1/y2)) if y1!=.
keep var1 x1
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
answered Nov 24 '18 at 1:57
Romalpa AkzoRomalpa Akzo
14116
14116
add a comment |
add a comment |
If all values in your string variables look the same as in your example, you can do the following:
clear
input str6 var1
"3 2/3"
"8 1/2"
"6/8"
"-2/3"
"1.65"
"-6 1/4"
"-0.235"
end
replace var1 = subinstr(var1," ",":", .)
replace var1 = "0:" + var1 if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = "-0:" + substr(var1, 2, .) if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = subinstr(var1,":"," ", .)
generate double var2 = real(var1) if !strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var2 = real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1)) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*")
replace var2 = - ( abs(real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & strmatch(var1, "-*")
For more information on the use of each function, type help followed by its
name: real(), strmatch(), substr(), subinstr(), strpos(), abs().
EDIT:
The aforementioned approach relies on string manipulation using Stata's string functions and hence is lengthier than the solution provided in the other answer.
Nevertheless, you can shorten the code a bit and improve readability as follows:
local m1 !strmatch(var1, "* *")
local m2 strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = cond(`m1' & !`m2', "0 " + var1, ///
cond(`m1' & `m2', "-0 " + substr(var1, 2, .), var1 + "" ) )
local e1 real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))
local e2 (real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) )
generate var2 = cond(!strmatch(var1, "*/*"), real(var1), ///
cond(!`m2', `e1' + `e2', - ( abs(`e1') + `e2' ) ) )
In both cases, you will get:
list, separator(0)
+---------------------+
| var1 var2 |
|---------------------|
1. | 3 2/3 3.6666667 |
2. | 8 1/2 8.5 |
3. | 0 6/8 .75 |
4. | -0 2/3 -.66666667 |
5. | 1.65 1.65 |
6. | -6 1/4 -6.25 |
7. | -0.235 -.235 |
+---------------------+
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
add a comment |
If all values in your string variables look the same as in your example, you can do the following:
clear
input str6 var1
"3 2/3"
"8 1/2"
"6/8"
"-2/3"
"1.65"
"-6 1/4"
"-0.235"
end
replace var1 = subinstr(var1," ",":", .)
replace var1 = "0:" + var1 if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = "-0:" + substr(var1, 2, .) if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = subinstr(var1,":"," ", .)
generate double var2 = real(var1) if !strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var2 = real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1)) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*")
replace var2 = - ( abs(real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & strmatch(var1, "-*")
For more information on the use of each function, type help followed by its
name: real(), strmatch(), substr(), subinstr(), strpos(), abs().
EDIT:
The aforementioned approach relies on string manipulation using Stata's string functions and hence is lengthier than the solution provided in the other answer.
Nevertheless, you can shorten the code a bit and improve readability as follows:
local m1 !strmatch(var1, "* *")
local m2 strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = cond(`m1' & !`m2', "0 " + var1, ///
cond(`m1' & `m2', "-0 " + substr(var1, 2, .), var1 + "" ) )
local e1 real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))
local e2 (real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) )
generate var2 = cond(!strmatch(var1, "*/*"), real(var1), ///
cond(!`m2', `e1' + `e2', - ( abs(`e1') + `e2' ) ) )
In both cases, you will get:
list, separator(0)
+---------------------+
| var1 var2 |
|---------------------|
1. | 3 2/3 3.6666667 |
2. | 8 1/2 8.5 |
3. | 0 6/8 .75 |
4. | -0 2/3 -.66666667 |
5. | 1.65 1.65 |
6. | -6 1/4 -6.25 |
7. | -0.235 -.235 |
+---------------------+
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
add a comment |
If all values in your string variables look the same as in your example, you can do the following:
clear
input str6 var1
"3 2/3"
"8 1/2"
"6/8"
"-2/3"
"1.65"
"-6 1/4"
"-0.235"
end
replace var1 = subinstr(var1," ",":", .)
replace var1 = "0:" + var1 if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = "-0:" + substr(var1, 2, .) if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = subinstr(var1,":"," ", .)
generate double var2 = real(var1) if !strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var2 = real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1)) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*")
replace var2 = - ( abs(real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & strmatch(var1, "-*")
For more information on the use of each function, type help followed by its
name: real(), strmatch(), substr(), subinstr(), strpos(), abs().
EDIT:
The aforementioned approach relies on string manipulation using Stata's string functions and hence is lengthier than the solution provided in the other answer.
Nevertheless, you can shorten the code a bit and improve readability as follows:
local m1 !strmatch(var1, "* *")
local m2 strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = cond(`m1' & !`m2', "0 " + var1, ///
cond(`m1' & `m2', "-0 " + substr(var1, 2, .), var1 + "" ) )
local e1 real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))
local e2 (real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) )
generate var2 = cond(!strmatch(var1, "*/*"), real(var1), ///
cond(!`m2', `e1' + `e2', - ( abs(`e1') + `e2' ) ) )
In both cases, you will get:
list, separator(0)
+---------------------+
| var1 var2 |
|---------------------|
1. | 3 2/3 3.6666667 |
2. | 8 1/2 8.5 |
3. | 0 6/8 .75 |
4. | -0 2/3 -.66666667 |
5. | 1.65 1.65 |
6. | -6 1/4 -6.25 |
7. | -0.235 -.235 |
+---------------------+
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
If all values in your string variables look the same as in your example, you can do the following:
clear
input str6 var1
"3 2/3"
"8 1/2"
"6/8"
"-2/3"
"1.65"
"-6 1/4"
"-0.235"
end
replace var1 = subinstr(var1," ",":", .)
replace var1 = "0:" + var1 if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = "-0:" + substr(var1, 2, .) if !strmatch(var1, "*:*") & strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = subinstr(var1,":"," ", .)
generate double var2 = real(var1) if !strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var2 = real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1)) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & !strmatch(var1, "-*")
replace var2 = - ( abs(real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))) + ///
( real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) ) ) ///
if strmatch(var1, "*/*") & strmatch(var1, "-*")
For more information on the use of each function, type help followed by its
name: real(), strmatch(), substr(), subinstr(), strpos(), abs().
EDIT:
The aforementioned approach relies on string manipulation using Stata's string functions and hence is lengthier than the solution provided in the other answer.
Nevertheless, you can shorten the code a bit and improve readability as follows:
local m1 !strmatch(var1, "* *")
local m2 strmatch(var1, "-*") & strmatch(var1, "*/*")
replace var1 = cond(`m1' & !`m2', "0 " + var1, ///
cond(`m1' & `m2', "-0 " + substr(var1, 2, .), var1 + "" ) )
local e1 real(substr(var1, 1, strpos(var1, " ") - 1))
local e2 (real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, " "), strpos(var1, "/") - strpos(var1, " "))) / ///
real(substr(var1, strpos(var1, "/") + 1, .)) )
generate var2 = cond(!strmatch(var1, "*/*"), real(var1), ///
cond(!`m2', `e1' + `e2', - ( abs(`e1') + `e2' ) ) )
In both cases, you will get:
list, separator(0)
+---------------------+
| var1 var2 |
|---------------------|
1. | 3 2/3 3.6666667 |
2. | 8 1/2 8.5 |
3. | 0 6/8 .75 |
4. | -0 2/3 -.66666667 |
5. | 1.65 1.65 |
6. | -6 1/4 -6.25 |
7. | -0.235 -.235 |
+---------------------+
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
edited Nov 26 '18 at 18:48
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
answered Nov 22 '18 at 11:11
Pearly SpencerPearly Spencer
11.2k173663
11.2k173663
add a comment |
add a comment |
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