### 16.3 MCONVERT ¶

    MCONVERT
        [[MATRIX=]
         [IN({‘*’|’file’})]
         [OUT({‘*’|’file’})]]
        [/{REPLACE,APPEND}].

The `MCONVERT` command converts matrix data from a correlation matrix and a vector of standard deviations into a covariance matrix, or vice versa.

By default, `MCONVERT` both reads and writes the active file. Use the `MATRIX` subcommand to specify other files. To read a matrix file, specify its name inside parentheses following `IN`. To write a matrix file, specify its name inside parentheses following `OUT`. Use ‘`*`’ to explicitly specify the active file for input or output.

When `MCONVERT` reads the input, by default it substitutes a correlation matrix and a vector of standard deviations each time it encounters a covariance matrix, and vice versa. Specify `/APPEND` to instead have `MCONVERT` add the other form of data without removing the existing data. Use `/REPLACE` to explicitly request removing the existing data.

The `MCONVERT` command requires its input to be a matrix file. Use `MATRIX DATA` to convert text input into matrix file format. See MATRIX DATA, for details.