Using a local macro that contains a list of random numbers to avoid repetitive typing

[James Lee]

Hi Stata community.

I am relatively new to Stata. I am doing a project and looking at individuals with random ages. I have to constantly list these numbers whenever I run a new command. I am trying to use a local macro but I have never used it before. If someone could help, I would appreciate it. Below is an example with comments.

clear all
*Call in sample data
sysuse nlsw88.dta

*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46)

*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46 and race is 2
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46) & race==2

*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46 and south is 1
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46) & south==1


*Attempt to create a local macro
local x 34 37 41 45 46

*Ideally, I don't want to use the local macro called x to avoid typing out the numbers 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46 over and over again.
*The lines below don't work. 
count if inlist(age, x)
count if inlist(age, x) & race==2
count if inlist(age, 34, x) & south==1

[alejoforero]

try

 
 local x ="34, 37, 41, 45, 46" count if inlist(age, `x')

To call a local you need to put it in those special quotes.

[James Lee]

HI Alejoforero,

Thanks for the suggestion. The syntax trips me up. Your suggestion helped and addressed my problem. Thank you.

[James Lee]

@alejoforero

Is there a way to keep the macro if I run separate chunks of code? For example, I have other datasets with the same variable and I am looking at the individuals with the same age.

*Session 1: Code ran at 12:05 pm
clear all
*Call in sample data
sysuse nlsw88.dta

*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46)
*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46 and race is 2
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46) & race==2
*Count if someone is either 34, 37, 41, 45, or 46 and south is 1
count if inlist(age, 34, 37, 41, 45, 46) & south==1

*Create a local macro
local x ="34, 37, 41, 45, 46"
keep if inlist(age, `x')


*Wait five minutes


*Session 2: Code ran at 12:10 pm
clear all
sysuse nlsw88.dta
keep if inlist(age, `x')

[Hemanshu Kumar]

When you are executing the different bits of your code, do so using the "Execute (include)" option available from the top right of your do-file editor window.

[James Lee]

Hemanshu Kumar
Thank you so much. This solves my problem perfectly. I would never have figured it out. Thank you.