Need Help to search value which has quote in it in sas dataset

[Hari2]

Hi All,

I have a variable in which we have value with Single Quote in it. 

Ex: ABC 'DEF.

When I find for this like within a dataset,

data abc;

set abcd;

where col1 = 'ABC 'DEF';

run;

 It is giving error as ' Where clause operator requires Compatible variables' And here Col1 is a Character Variable. 

Please suggest your inputs.

[PeterClemmensen · Accepted solution]

Use double quotes?

data abcd;
col1="ABC 'DEF";output;
col1="ABCABC";output;
run;

data abc;
    set abcd;
    where col1="ABC 'DEF";
run;

[ballardw]

Another approach that you should be aware of is doubling the quote character where needed.

data abcd;
col1="ABC 'DEF";output;
col1="ABCABC";output;
run;

data abc;
    set abcd;
    where col1='ABC ''DEF';
run;

The quote in blue is two single quotes.

You will want to know this because if you manage to acquire a string with both single and double quote marks then you would still have the issue. Consider searching for something like 5' 8" . Then either '5' 8"' or "5' 8"" will have a problem. The two quotes together are the solution in that case:

data abcd;
col1="ABC 'DEF";output;
col1="ABCABC";output;
col1="5'12""";output;
run;

data abc;
    set abcd;
    where col1="5'12""";;
run;

Look at the abcd set to verify that there is only one double quote in the last value.