Renaming group of variables as var

[Joe Tuckles]

Hello,

Can anyone advise how to rename a group as variables as simply var1 var2 var3 etc.

Currently they all begin as n_2004
They run as follows n_2004_0_0 n_2004_0_1 n_2004_0_2 etc.

Thanks

[Mike Lacy]

This should work for you:

rename n_2004_0_# var#

See -help rename group-. I *always* have to re-read the documentation to use this command.

[Scott Merryman]

See -help rename group-

. clear

. set obs 1
number of observations (_N) was 0, now 1

. gen  n_2004_0_0  = 1

. gen  n_2004_0_1  = 1

. gen  n_2004_0_2  = 1

. rename  n_2004_0_(#) var(#), renumber(1)

. l

     +--------------------+
     | var1   var2   var3 |
     |--------------------|
  1. |    1      1      1 |
     +--------------------+

[daniel klein]

Note that Scott Merryman's code will only change the names of variables n_2004_0_0, ..., n_2004_0_9 but not n_2004_0_10. To match any number of digits at the end of the original names, parentheses should not be used:

rename n_2004_0_# var# , renumber

There is no harm in specifying renumber(1), i.e., explicitly stating that we want the new numbers to start at 1 (the default).

Best
Daniel

[Scott Merryman]

To match any number of digits at the end of the original names, parentheses should not be used:

. Good point. Thanks.

[Joe Tuckles]

After n_2004_0_9 it goes to n_2004_1_0 so shall I do

  
 rename n_2004_# var# , renumber

[daniel klein]

Try

rename n_2004_#_# var# , renumber sort dryrun

I have added option sort which sorts the old variable names; I have also added option dryrun, which displays a mapping from old variable names to new variable names. When you are satisfied, remove that option.

Best
Daniel