i have a data set with a duplicate identifier variable "visitlink". i want to identify duplicates but only for specific cases which i have coded variable "index" =1.

when i use the identify duplicate dialogue i assume if i use the "visitlink" as the identifier it will code all the duplicates as 0 and primary as 1, but i only want duplicates identified for cases with variable "index"=1.

duplicates of cases that are not coded as 1 are not needed.

is there any way i can do that?

The simplest way would be to do this.

• Use DATASET COPY to make two copies of the data - named, say NE and NOT1.
• Activate ONE and use SELECT IF (Data > Select Cases) to select only cases where INDEX EQ 1
• Use the Identify Cases dialog to identify the duplicates and do whatever processing you want for that.
• Activate NOT1 and use SELECT IF to select only cases where INDEX NE 1
• Merge the two datasets using ADD FILES (Data > Merge Files > Add Cases)
• The duplicate indicating variables in the NOT1 data will have system missing values.

Thank you for your help.

however, i want to find duplicates of INDEX EQ 1 cases within the main data. Not duplicates within INDEX EQ 1 cases.

I beleive i wasnt clear about this point.

My only selecting cases of INDEX EQ 1 doesnt solve my problem. I need to somehow select duplicates of cases INDEX EQ 1 without selecting any/all duplicates within main data.

If you want to send me the data and the definition of duplicates, I can put together some code using the SPSSINC TRANS extension command, which you can install from the Extensions > Extension Hub menu. (jkpeckSupport Member)