The same stuff in available freeware can be found in R with instructions and examples as shown in the attachment. If an introduction to R is needed I recommend Lander R for everyone available from the z-library. Best wishes, David Booth

Hello Ms. Smith,

You may check this link from IBM.

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/process-macro-v35-custom-dialog-returns-error-about-invalid-character-ibm-spss-statistics-27-or-subscription-release

Best regards

Mohammed Mohammed Ishaq Thank you for your answer - as I mentioned in my question, though, I am unable to even open the .spd file in the custom dialogue box builder to remove the faulty apostrophe in the code. When I try, I get the error that is in the screenshot.

As David Eugene Booth mentioned, there are many other ways to run mediation and moderation models, but I have already written a manuscript using this method for a moderated multiple mediation model using PROCESS. One of my colleagues wants me to re-run the analysis to check something so I'm motivated to get this to work so I don't have to re-write my methods and analysis section.

@Lindsay Smith OK, I hope you get a solution soonest.

Dear Lindsay Smith Neutzling ,

you are in the 'Custom Dialog Builder', but you DON'T want to build a custom dialog, BUT to INSTALL one!! You have to use the option below, see my screenshot!

Rainer

P.S.: You mentioned that you have written a manuscript, mentioning PROCESS. How is this important? PROCESS is just ONE tool to calcualte mediation/moderation/conditional processes, there is no need to explicitly use PROCESS itself. Additionally, there is an R package in the beta version by Hayes himself and there is another third party package processR, which emulates everything PROCESS does under R. Therefore, your argument does not seem valid.

Rainer Duesing When I try the install the custom dialogue box nothing happens. It says it's installing in the processor and then it goes away and nothing happens. I had assumed that the error in the code was the problem therefore I tried to open it in the builder to examine the code.

I'm looking for a solution for an annoying SPSS problem. Whether or not my argument is "valid" to you is not of my concern, but thank you.

Lindsay Smith Neutzling, have you tried removing the apostrophe on more than one computer? If it works on other computers but not on your computer, that might suggest you need to reinstall SPSS on your computer.

Also, it sounds to me as if this problem only affects the use of a custom dialog Hayes has provided. Command syntax must still work, does it not?

You've said you want to re-run some analyses. I'm assuming you do not have a syntax file for the original round of analysis. But if you have the an output file, it should have the command syntax embedded (in text boxes). I would copy all of that command syntax, paste it into a new syntax editor, and try running it. HTH.

Bruce Weaver THANK YOU. Your answer inspired me to look at some FAQ from Hearne Software about limited functionality in SPSS on Macs. It has something to do with the preferences getting messed up and needing to be reset. Here's a youtube video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64CvWGZPvwU

My problem is fixed!

I'm happy to hear you got it working, Lindsay. Please consider letting Andrew Hayes know about the problem you had and the solution so that he can add something to his website if he wishes.

It's amazing that you were able to fix your problem with a Google search!

Lindsay Smith Neutzling I will have to check it out and see if it works for me as I have had no problem until the latest SPSS version on my Mac. There have been problems. in the past. There was some solution saying go to the university who set up the SPSS software downloads. I have to say the answers telling you to go to R are not helpful. The macro is there and ready for about 100 conceivable situations and therefore the best to use and cite.

Lindsay Smith Neutzling I just tried that fix and my SPSS is loading faster but my error seems maybe to be a permission problem from our internal university software people.

Susan Murphy wrote:

I have to say the answers telling you to go to R are not helpful.

If I understand you, Susan, you're saying that something like the following (made up) exchange is not helpful? :-o

Q. How can I perform task X using stats package Y (where Y is not R)?

A. Use R.

I suppose we must try to be patient with R-evangelists. They are just trying to save our statistical souls, after all. ;-)

Bruce Weaver thank you for your levity. There’s a time and place for R! But sometimes I just don’t want to fiddle with the code :)

Susan Murphy you should be able to ask your university IT person to help you get permission to install the package. And for that, I hope your IT department is better than mine! I purchased my SPSS package through Hearne Software because I got so fed up with using SPSS through a virtual desktop and then not being able to access my local files, losing where I saved my work, the VPN being spotty, etc. As a stopgap, though - you probably can still use the syntax from Hayes.

@Lindsay Smith Luckily I downloaded SPSS directly to my non-managed laptop. The thing is there were no issues in the past downloads. Yes, I may just go with the syntax.

Bruce Weaver yes, haha. You said it not me. Given I have programmed stats packages at the command level like R and worked with punchcards in Fortran in early SPSS on mainframes, I actually don't have to prove my coding ability to run simple regressions. But it is a bit cult like.

As Raynald Levesque said many years ago, "the main purpose of the GUI is to facilitate writing syntax!"

Source: https://spsstools.net/en/syntax/learning-syntax/

;-)