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Variables and Constants

What is a variable?

Variables can turn into new variables with manipulation from mathematical operations and/or functions.

 

ClosedAdd a Variable to the Graph

Up to 8 variables can be displayed in a graph. When a new variable is inserted to a graph, it becomes the active seriesThe first variable listed on a graph; all operations/functions will be applied to this series.. The active series will:

  • Display its code in the graph tab
  • Have its title listed first
  • Have its code listed in the title bar of the data table
  • Display its values in Haver Mode or reside in the leftmost column in Column Mode
  • Control the left Y-axis scale

Add a data series

  1. To add another series to the graph, do one of the following:
    • Click add variable from the Graph Settings toolbar
    • Go to Graph > Add Variable
    • ALT + V
  2. Select the series you wish to open by doing one of the following:
    • Navigate through the menus to select the series
    • ALT + N to enter the series in the format code@database in the formula bar and select or ENTER
    • ALT + D to open the database, and navigate through it via the menus or N to enter the code name and select OK or ENTER

Follow these steps if there is at least one data series already open on the graph. If it is a blank tab,
follow step 2 first.

Add a constant

  1. Open the constant value dialog by doing one of the following:
    • Click add a constant variable from the Graph Settings toolbar
    • Go to Graph > Add Constant
    • CTRL + ALT + C
  2. Enter a value
  3. Click OK or ENTER

Add a trend line

See Insert a Trend Line.

 

Example

Add LANAGRD@USECON to the LR@USECON graph.

  1. The graph originally contains U.S. Unemployment Rate (LR@USECON).

  2. Add a variable to the graph by doing one of the following:
    • Click add variable from the Graph Settings toolbar
    • Go to Graph > Add Variable
    • ALT + V
  3. Insert U.S. Total Nonfarm Employment (LANAGRD@USECON) by doing one of the
    following:
    • ALT + N to enter LANAGRD in the formula bar and select or ENTER

      • Not required to enter LANAGRD@USECON as we are already in the USECON database

    • N to enter LANAGRD and select OK or ENTER

      • Not required to use ALT + D as we are already in the USECON database

Notice that LANAGRD@USECON is now the active seriesThe first variable listed on a graph; all operations/functions will be applied to this series..

ClosedRemove a Variable

When choosing to remove a variable, the last variable listed in the titles will be the variable that is removed.

  1. Ensure that the variable you wish to remove is the last variable
    • If it's not at the bottom of the list of titles, exchange variables to move the variable to the bottom of the list
  2. Remove the variable by doing one of the following:
    • Click remove variable from the Graph Settings toolbar
    • Go to Graph > Remove Variable
    • CTRL + V
    • If in Column Mode, right click the series you wish to remove and select Remove Series
ClosedExchange Variables

Why exchange variables?

  • To reorder titles
  • To make a variable active (move the variable to the top of the list)
  • To enable a variable to be removed (move the variable to the bottom of the list)

Exchange two variables

If there are only two variables in the graph, exchange them by doing one of the following:

  • Click exchange multiple variables from the graph settings toolbar
  • Go to Graph > Exchange Multiple Variables
  • X

Exchange multiple variables

  1. Open the Exchange Series window by doing one of the following:
    • Click the exchange multiple variables from the Graph Settings toolbar
    • Go to Graph > Exchange Multiple Variables
    • ALT + X
  2. Select the variable you wish to move by dragging and dropping it in the list
  3. Click OK or ENTER

Right click a variable to get additional options: remove series, move to top/bottom or move up/down.