Using the SmartPLS Software Joe F. Hair, Jr. Founder & Senior Scholar

Getting Started with the SmartPLS Software The next slide shows the graphical interface for the SmartPLS software. In the following slides we describe how to draw and execute a PLS-SEM model using the SmartPLS software program. Before you draw your model, you need to have data to use in running your model. The data we will use to run our example PLS model can be downloaded at the following URL: http://www.smartpls.de/cr/. When you get to the website scroll down to the Corporate Reputation Example where it says . . . Click on the following links to download files. SmartPLS can use both data file formats (i.e., .csv or .txt). Follow the onscreen instructions to save one of these two files on your hard drive. Click on Save Target As . . . to save the data to a folder on your hard drive, and then Close. Now go to the folder where you previously downloaded and saved the SmartPLS software on your computer.  Click on the file that runs SmartPLS ( ) and then on the Run tab to start the software. You are now ready to create a new SmartPLS SEM project.

. This is the screen you will see when you first load the SmartPLS software. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

To start using the software, left click on the File pull-down menu and click on New. Next click on the Create New Project option. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Type a project name in this window. Then click Next. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

. A project name for our example in this workshop has been inserted. You can use a different name if you wish. Now click Next. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

This dialog box is used to tell the software where to find the data for your SEM model. Click here to establish a link to your data. Click Finish Tab to continue. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Notice that your indicator variables are now visible in this window. Modeling Window Double click here (on your project name) to get this screen with the above tool bar. Your data icon should be green. If it is red your data was not properly imported into SmartPLS. The most likely reasons for problems in importing data are that you have missing data and did not code it as missing, or that you have String variables in your data. Note: you must code all missing data in your file, not just the data you are using in your SEM model. Second, all variables in your data file must be numerical. If you have string variables create a working file that removes them. Notice that your indicator variables are now visible in this window. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

. Click on the connection mode icon to connect constructs. Click on the selection mode icon to select, resize or move constructs. Click on the insertion mode icon to draw constructs. These are the three tools you will use to draw your SEM model, name the constructs, load your data, and do the things necessary to run your SEM model. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

SmartPLS Software Options Find your new project in the Projects window, expand the list of projects to get project details (see below), click on the .splsm file for your project

Notice that new constructs now appear in this window. 1 Reputation model drawn with insertion mode and connected with connection mode. 2 Next step is to rename constructs. To do so, make sure you are in selection mode, place cursor over construct, right click, and you will get window on next slide. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Left click on Rename Object to get window on next slide. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Type new name in window and click OK. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

New name has been typed in window. Now click OK. Follow the same procedure and rename all constructs. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

The four constructs are now renamed. Now you must attach the indicator variables. To do so, drag them from the window on the left (left click, hold down, and move). Drop them on their constructs (release left button). The four constructs are now renamed. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Save Icon The three indicators are now attached to the COMP construct. You can now right click on the construct to get the window below, and then left click to reposition the indicators at the top of the construct. Make sure to save the model by going to File → Save or click on the Save icon. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Note that indicators attached to constructs are now yellow. Structural Model with Names, Data and Paths Indicators are now repositioned for all constructs. Also, constructs are blue after data is attached. Note that indicators attached to constructs are now yellow. All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

Other SmartPLS Options . . .  Start calculation Rename Construct Hide used indicators Show measurement model Change reflective to formative

Questions for Indicator Variables – Simple Model All rights reserved ©. Cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission from Prentice-Hall, McGraw-Hill, SmartPLS, and session presenters.

More SmartPLS Options . . . With complex structural models you may want to change the size of your model. To do this there are + and – magnifying glasses and some preset options. For example, if you highlight “Page” it adjusts your model to fit the page.

More SmartPLS Options . . . This menu opens when you use your right mouse button to click on a project, model, or data file in your “Projects” navigation window. You can choose from the following options: Add a new model to an existing SmartPLS project by selecting “Create New Model”. Create an entirely new project by selecting “Create New Project.” This is the same as selecting “File”  “New”  “Create New Project” from the menu bar. Associate a data file with an existing project by selecting “Import Indicator Data” Copy, move, rename, or remove (delete) a project, model, or data file by selecting either of the four “Resource” choices. When choosing to copy, move, or rename a resource, SmartPLS will ask you to select a target folder and name for the resource. When removing (deleting) a resource, SmartPLS will ask you to confirm your choice. “Import” or “Export” SmartPLS models, projects, or data file with other users. “Properties” allows you to see the properties (file type, location, size, and date last modified) of SmartPLS resources.