nwcollapse
Collapse a network
Syntax
nwcollapse
[(stat)]
[netname]
[,
by(varname)
generate(newnetname)
options]
Description
This command collapses a network, i.e. it merges network nodes. It works very similar as collapse. With option by(varname) one specifies which nodes should be merged. The rule for collapsing two nodes are specified with stat, by default stat = max (see here for possible values). For example, when nodes A and B are collapsed to node Z, Z inherits all the ties from node A and B. The nodes in the new network are named after the values in varname.
By default, an existing network is replaced, unless option generate(newnetname) is specified.
Examples
This collapses the first and the second node of a random network. The collapsed node will have all ties that the original nodes had.
. nwrandom 20, prob(.1) name(mynet)
. gen att = _n
. replace att = 1 in 2
. nwcollapse mynet, by(att)
Supported network types
Binary: yes. Directed: yes. Weighted: yes - generate()’s own collapse function operates on whatever tie values are present. Signed: not checked. Two-mode: not supported - error 6088; make a one-mode network of one mode first with nwproject.
See also
collapse- last certified : 24 Aug 2026
nwcommands version 3.17.6, 9 November 2026 (check your installed version)