Custom Group Generator

Recode variable similar to SPSS

In SPSS, the Recode into Different Variables workflow lets you keep the original variable and create a new variable based on rules you define. This online tool follows the same general idea for numeric grouping.

For example, you can recode an age variable into a new age-group variable, or convert income, scores, population values or other numeric measures into categories.

How to recode a variable online

1. Upload a CSV, XLSX or XLS file, or paste CSV data.
2. Select the worksheet if your Excel file has more than one sheet.
3. Load the variables from the dataset.
4. Select the numeric variable you want to recode.
5. Enter a name for the new variable.
6. Choose how many groups you want to create.
7. Define the minimum and maximum values for each group.
8. Enter the output value for each group.
9. Click Create Group Variable.
10. Download the recoded CSV or Excel file.

Example: recode age into age groups

Suppose your dataset contains an age variable:

name,age,city
Ali,17,Islamabad
Sara,28,Lahore
David,42,London
Ayesha,67,Karachi

You could create a new variable called age_group using these ranges:

The tool keeps the original age variable and appends the new age_group variable as the last column:

name,age,city,age_group
Ali,17,Islamabad,Child
Sara,28,Lahore,Young Adult
David,42,London,Adult
Ayesha,67,Karachi,Older Adult

Create your own number of groups

You are not restricted to predefined categories. Choose the number of groups you need and enter the exact ranges yourself.

This makes the tool suitable for age groups, income bands, test scores, risk categories, population classes, expenditure groups and other numeric recoding tasks.

Lowest and Highest values

Open-ended ranges are supported. Leave the minimum blank to represent the lowest possible value, or leave the maximum blank to represent the highest possible value.

For example, Lowest through 17 includes every valid value up to 17, while 60 through Highest includes every valid value of 60 or above.

Original variable is preserved

The selected source variable is not replaced. Instead, the newly recoded variable is appended as the last column of the dataset.

This is useful when you want to retain the original continuous value while also creating a grouped version for tables, charts, reporting or statistical analysis.

CSV and Excel variable recoding

The tool supports CSV files as well as Excel XLSX and XLS files. When working with an Excel workbook, you can select the worksheet containing the variable you want to recode.

The downloaded Excel result contains the new grouped variable while preserving the rest of the workbook.

Overlapping and unmatched ranges

The tool checks for overlapping ranges so the same numeric value cannot accidentally belong to more than one group.

Values that do not fall within any defined range can either be left blank in the new variable or assigned another value of your choice.

Custom groups vs quantile groups

Custom grouping uses boundaries that you specify yourself. Quantile grouping instead creates categories according to the distribution of the data, such as quartiles or quintiles.

Use custom recoding when the cut-off points have a practical or analytical meaning. Use quantiles when you want observations divided into approximately equal-sized groups.

Common uses for recoding variables

Variable recoding is commonly used in survey analysis, demographic research, monitoring and evaluation, health data, market research, education, population analysis, financial analysis and many other data-processing workflows.

Does this tool upload my CSV or Excel file?

No. Your CSV or Excel file is processed locally in your browser. Your dataset does not need to be uploaded to MK Tech Tools for recoding.

Frequently asked questions