Instructions on Creating a Database in MicroCase
prepared by Debra Burock, Class of 2000

Note: These instructions apply to MicroCase 4.6, which is available on the network in all student labs.

1.First open the MicroCase program by clicking on the desktop icon.

2.Click "File Management" and an options menu will appear to the right. Click on "New File." Four options will appear with descriptions of each, choose the one that best suits the data that you wish to enter. After you select the type of file, name the new file and click "Next" at the bottom of the screen. Then click "Finish" at the bottom of the screen. 

3.Click "Data Management" and a different options menu will appear to the right. Click on "Define & Edit Variables". A new screen will pop up and this is your variables list. In the field that says "Variable Name" enter the name of the first variable (e.g., age, gender, etc.).  Then, in the box in the lower right-hand corner, enter the value of each category of the variable (e.g., for gender, the category Female might be a value of 1 and Male would be a value of 2). When you have finished entering the values and categories click "Continue" at the upper right-hand corner of the screen and a new variable name screen will appear, repeat the above instructions until you have entered all of your desired variables. 

4.When you are ready to enter your data click on "Menu" at the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Then click on "Enter Data" (a dialogue box will appear, click "OK"). A spreadsheet will appear with all of the variables that you have entered listed at the top. Click in the cell in which you want to enter your data. (If you would like to see your variable list at any time click on the red "V" in the toolbar at the top of the page.)

5.When you want to exit or you have finished entering your data, click "Menu" in the toolbar at the top of the page. The original options menu will appear and you can begin analyzing your data. 

6.Whenever you exit the MicroCase program you will be prompted you to save the changes you've made to your new data file, click "Yes" and then you will be asked where you want to save the file (you will probably want to save it to a disk in the A-drive). You can either choose an existing folder by right-clicking on it or you can create a new folder by clicking on the folder icon (third icon from the left on the toolbar).  Type the name of the file in the bottom text box and click "Save". Then click "OK". Note: MicroCase does not make it easy to save changes as you go along entering data, but it is wise to do this nonetheless. Click on Menu, then File Management, then Save. Then retrace your steps by clicking again on File Management, then Enter Data.

7.The next time you want to work on the data file open MicroCase, click on "Open File" under the "File Management" menu. Select your file and then follow the instructions above for entering data or choose "Basic or Advanced Statistics" to analyze your data.