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 Syntax editor not visible

Aaron Brough's profile image
Aaron Brough posted Tue May 27, 2025 05:40 PM

I am new to this community, but I am an experienced SPSS Statistics user who has used syntax extensively in the past. I recently upgraded to version 30.0.0.0 (172) for Windows (I use a Dell pc). When I go to File-->New-->Syntax, the syntax editor does not appear. I can see that it is open by hovering over the SPSS icon in my taskbar, but nothing happens when I click on the thumbnail (see attached screenshot).

Can't click on syntax editor

This prevents me from being able to write, copy, paste, edit, or run new syntax. I have tried switching from Workbook mode to Classic mode, I have uninstalled and reinstalled v 30, and I even tried reinstalling v 29 and couldn't get it to work there either. Has anyone else had this issue, and is there a known solution? Thanks for your help!

UPDATE: Thanks Jon for the helpful response. After posting this yesterday I found a thread posted on Friday June 09, 2023 at 10:47am by Odile Chevalley titled: "SPSS open dataset and output files, but syntax files cannot get open -> blank page." After reading the solution Odile found, I right-clicked on the thumbnail for the syntax editor window, clicked "Maximize," and it then showed up. Such a simple fix for something that took me hours of time trying to troubleshoot! Thanks again for the help.

Jon Peck's profile image
Jon Peck IBM Champion posted Wed May 28, 2025 10:55 AM

My guess is that the SE is offscreen.  That can happen with multiple monitors or a screen resolution change.  You might be able to grab it with Windows Task View or, depending on the Wimdows version, by Shift-Right click on the taskbar icon, which pops up a context menu with Move on it.

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