Renaming variables using the loop - changing the number attached to the variables

[Gaurav Dhamija]

Hi,

I have 516 variables named as m229 to m744.
I want to rename each one of them so that m229 becomes m1, m230 becomes m2, ..., m744 becomes m516.
In a way, I want to subtract the 228 from the number given in the name of the each of the variable.

Hence I tried using the following loop:

forval i = 229(1)744 {
rename m`i' m`i-228'
}

The loop ran and didn't show any error but no change in the name of the variables.

I am showing the sample output for your reference.

. forval i = 229(1)230 {
2. ren m`i' m`i-228'
3. }
(all newnames==oldnames)
(all newnames==oldnames)

Thanks in advance.

[Rich Goldstein]

you did not supply a dataexample so I did not test this but I think that example 16 in

help rename group

can be followed to do what you want with no loop needed

[Gaurav Dhamija]

Thanks @Rich Goldstein