Sorting Records in IBM SPSS Modeler

To improve your experience using IBM SPSS Modeler, the Version 1 SPSS experts have created various Tech Tips. This Tech Tip shows sorting records in SPSS Modeler.

IBM SPSS Modeler is an extensive predictive analytics platform designed to bring predictive intelligence to decisions made by individuals, groups, systems, and the enterprise. Modeler has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop user interface with a complete set of tools for accessing data, data examination, preparation, modelling, evaluation, and deployment.  

 IBM SPSS Modeler users have a complete toolset to build predictive models from start to finish. Modeler uses node-based, visual programming. Users pick nodes from palettes and place them on the stream canvas. Once nodes have been placed on the stream canvas and edited, they can be linked to form a stream. A stream represents a flow of data through several operations (nodes) to a destination that can be in the form of output (either text or chart), a model, or the export of data to another format (e.g., a database).  

Sorting records in SPSS Modeler is an essential task. For example, you have income and age in your data, and you want to sort the data by income and age so that cases with the lowest incomes and ages are at the top of your file. The Sort node makes sorting easy and is located on the Record Ops palette. To sort records, go to the Record Ops palette. Select the Sort node and drag it onto the stream canvas.

You can also double-click the node to drop it onto the stream canvas. Once it is on the canvas, you can connect it to your stream. Double-click to open the node. Once the node is open, use the field chooser button to select the field(s) to sort. Choose income and age. Note to the right, we can select Ascending or Descending. Click OK, and your data is now sorted.