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 Issues with Lasso and Tobit Regression in SPSS Version 29

Lisa-Marie Amler's profile image
Lisa-Marie Amler posted Wed September 17, 2025 03:09 AM

Dear SPSS Community,

I really really need your help. I would be so greatful if there is a simple solution.

So I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation and unfortunately encountering some difficulties with SPSS (version 29, university license).

On the recommendation of my statistician, I would like to run a Lasso regression.

I have already downloaded and checked the extension. However, I can only access the options field (see screenshot) and I am never able to select variables. I have tried reinstalling the extension, and I also installed and uninstalled SPSS on several different university computers but the problem persists. If I write a syntax, SPSS tells me theres an error and it doesn’t know the method “LASSO”. As a result, I am unable to run the Lasso regression.

I have also contacted our internal IT support, but unfortunately we were not able to find a solution.

In addition, I would like to perform a Tobit regression. Unfortunately, I cannot find this option at all in our version of SPSS.

Since I am working under a very tight deadline, I would be extremely grateful for your advice and support.

Thank you very much in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Lisa-Marie Amler

Jon Peck's profile image
Jon Peck IBM Champion

Tobit is an extension command.   Go to Extensions > Extension Hub and search for tobit.  Once installed, it will appear under Regression in the menus.  Lasso is also an extension that you can install the same way - search for llr.  You might also want to try Elastic Net, which is another shrinkage estimator.

Lisa-Marie Amler's profile image
Lisa-Marie Amler

Thank you Jon Peck for your quick answer. If already tried installing Lasso as well as Tobit using the Extension Hub, it still didn't work. I'm not able to put in any variables. I'm just left with the option window. Also writing a syntax didn't work even when I installed the Extensions. Could that be because of the Version 29.0 of SPSS?

Thanks again for all your help

All the Best 

Jon Peck's profile image
Jon Peck IBM Champion

No, that's not a V29 issue.  I don't see a screen shot in  your post.  And what happens when you work just from syntax?