MEAN function excludes user‑missing values: inconsistent results between local and production

Symptom

When running a script that calculates a mean with MEAN, the result differs between a local SPSS installation and the production server, even though the same data files and MISSING VALUES declarations are used.

Goal

Confirm that the MEAN function treats user‑missing values identically across environments and determine whether any configuration or version differences could explain the discrepancy.

Constraints include the fact that SPSS documentation states that user‑missing values are excluded from MEAN calculations and that no built‑in flag exists to alter this behavior. The uncertainty lies in whether a subtle version‑specific bug or a default setting change could be causing the observed divergence.

Specific questions:

• Does the MEAN function consistently exclude user‑missing values across all SPSS versions currently in use?
• Is there a configuration option that can be set to include user‑missing values in the calculation?
• What steps can ensure that local and production environments produce identical mean results when user‑missing values are present?