For a nominal variable with k levels, the k levels are split into two groups of levels that have maximum SSB. Call these two groups of levels A1 and A2, where A1 has the smaller mean and A2 has the larger mean. The two groups of levels in A1 and A2 are used to define an indicator variable with values of 1 for the levels in A1 and -1 for the levels in A2. This variable is the first hierarchical term for the nominal variable.
When you use the Combine rule or the Restrict rule, a term cannot enter the model unless all the terms above it in the hierarchy have been entered. When you use the Whole Effects rule and enter a term for a categorical variable, all of its associated terms are entered. For an example, see Construction of Hierarchical Terms in Example.

Help created on 9/19/2017