Selecting Objects

Getting Started

Selecting Objects

Objects you can use in SAS/INSIGHT software include variables, observations, values, graphs, curves, and tables. You select an object to indicate that it is an object you want to work with. On most hosts, you can select an object by pointing to it and clicking the leftmost button on the mouse. To click, press the button down and release it without moving the mouse. Figure 1.2 illustrates the selection of a variable by pointing and clicking.

Figure 1.2: Selecting by Clicking

You can select multiple objects by dragging the mouse. To drag, press the leftmost mouse button down, move the mouse across the objects of interest, then release the mouse button. This selects the object at the cursor location when you pressed the mouse button, the object where you released the button, and all objects in between. Figure 1.3 illustrates the selection of three variables by pointing and dragging.

Figure 1.3: Selecting by Dragging

When objects are far apart, it is convenient to use modifier keys with the mouse button. On many hosts, you can use the Shift key to extend a selection. In Figure 1.4, the first observation was clicked on, then the one hundredth observation was clicked on while holding down the Shift key. This selects the first observation, the one hundredth observation, and all observations in between.

Figure 1.4: Extended Selection

On many hosts, you can use the Ctrl key to make a noncontiguous selection -- that is, a selection of multiple objects not located next to each other. In Figure 1.5, the first observation was clicked on, then the fifth observation was clicked on while holding down the Ctrl key. This selects the first observation and the fifth observation without selecting the observations in between.

Figure 1.5: Noncontiguous Selection

Some hosts use different modifier keys instead of the Shift and Ctrl keys, so these names do not appear in the remainder of this book. Instead, the terms extended selection and noncontiguous selection are used. Using single, multiple, extended, and noncontiguous selection, you can precisely indicate the objects you want to work with.

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