When reading in data from a foreign spreadsheet source (Excel/Quattro/Lotus) or from the clipboard, having the option
Suggest converting columns with less than N unique items set will
bring up this dialog, if any of the columns have this requirement, along with the extra requirement that some of the unique
items are repeated.
Convert to Factor
The columns initially are prefixed with a T or a V to indicate
whether the data is text or numerical respectively. To specify which columns
are to converted into factors, double click the column names, and F
is placed at the start of the column's name.
Factor/Leave
Alternatively, columns can be selected for conversion to a factor
by clicking on them, and then clicking the Factor button. They can
be deselected by clicking the Leave button.
Convert All
Select all the columns to be converted to factors.
Leave All
Select all the columns to be left in their initial state, i.e.
don't convert any columns to factors.
OK
Make the changes to the columns selected for conversion.
Cancel
Do not convert any of the columns.
Note
In a spreadsheet, the type markers ! for a factor can be added to a column name
or as cell comment on the column name to save having to specifying that the column
is to be read as a factor. See Using GenStat with Excel
for more information on this (under Column Types and Cell Comments).