I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS Statistics

Note this information on variable names in SPSS.

I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS Statistics

I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS #SPSS Statistics

I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS #SPSS Statistics

I looked up that possibility before posting and found several on-line sites that said they could start with either a letter or number. I guess I didn't look far enough as just now I found a site that said they can only start with letters. Thanks for the definitive answer, Jon! Guess I am changing all the documentation anyway. 

I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS #SPSS Statistics

I read in a data file from Excel, like I do all the time. But this time, SPSS added the "@" symbol at the beginning of all variable names that started with a number. When I tried to remove the symbols, they would reappear and I would get an error message that said the variable name started with a symbol that was not allowed. The correct names of the variables were put in the Variable Labels slot. Although I could not remove the "@" from the start of each variable name, I could change it to another letter/number. That is a work-around for the moment - I don't wish to have to change the variable names in all my documentation just because SPSS is adding a "@" and won't let me get rid of it. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can prevent it?

#SPSS Statistics