### 11.11 VALUE LABELS ¶

The values of a variable can be associated with an arbitrary text string. In this way, a short value can stand for a longer, more descriptive label.

Both numeric and string variables can be given labels. For string variables, the values are case-sensitive, so that, for example, a capitalized value and its lowercase variant would have to be labeled separately if both are present in the data.

    VALUE LABELS
            /var_list value ’label’ [value ’label’]...

`VALUE LABELS` allows values of variables to be associated with labels.

To set up value labels for one or more variables, specify the variable names after a slash (‘`/`’), followed by a list of values and their associated labels, separated by spaces.

Value labels in output are normally broken into lines automatically. Put ‘`\n`’ in a label string to force a line break at that point. The label may still be broken into lines at additional points.

Before `VALUE LABELS` is executed, any existing value labels are cleared from the variables specified. Use `ADD VALUE LABELS` (see ADD VALUE LABELS) to add value labels without clearing those already present.