{smcl}
{* 22may2008}{...}
{hline}
help for {hi:movel}{right: El }
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{title:Reorder variables in a dataset}

{p 8 17 2}
{cmd:movel} {varname} {varlist} [ {cmd:,} {cmdab:b:efore} {cmdab:a:lpha} {cmd:all} ]

{title:Description}

{p 4 4 2}{cmd:movel} moves a bunch of variables, in alphabetical or any specified order, before or after any other variable. Doesn't it seem like that's what the built-in {cmd:move} command should do? 

{p 4 4 2}With no options specified, {cmd:movel} arranges the variables in exactly the order specfied, with {varname} remaining in it's original position.

{title:Options}

{p 4 8 2}{cmdab:b:efore} causes {varlist} to end up before {varname}, rather than after.

{p 4 8 2}{cmdab:a:lpha} causes {varlist} to end up in alphabetical order, rather than the specified order.

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:all} only has an effect with {cmdab:a:lpha}. It essentially causes {varname} to be treated as part of {varlist} - alphabetizing the entire list and leaving it "in place" - wherever {varname} was.

{title:Examples}

   {cmd:. movel anchor5 v1 v20 v33}

{title:Also see}

{pstd}Online: help for {help move}, though what's the point?

{pstd}Contact: {browse "mailto:elliott.lowy@va.gov":Elliott Lowy}