topic Re: ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column in SAS Data Management

ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column

DavidPhillips2 — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 19:58:54 GMT

When I run this statement I receive

data test; set sashelp.vcolumn ;
run;

ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column SCHEV_ETHNICITY_DESC.
ERROR: SQL View SASHELP.VCOLUMN could not be processed.

I recently updated some tables.

How do I pinpoint what is causing this error?

Re: ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column

pink_poodle — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:00:39 GMT

data test

set sashelp.vcolumn;

if memname ne 'SCHEV_ETHNICITY_DESC';

run;

If that gets rid of the problem, then go to folder location:

Local -> Libraries -> SASHELP -> Vcolumn ->

rc, 'Explore' -> look at length column to get the idea about correct length values -> Set filter memname = 'SCHEV_ETHNICITY_DESC', keep memname and length

that will show the incorrect length value

data sashelp.vcolumn;

where memname = 'SCHEV_ETHNICITY_DESC';

lengh = correct-value;

run;

Re: ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column

SASKiwi — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:28:23 GMT

It looks like you register your SAS tables in SAS metadata. What this means is, every time you change the attributes of your SAS tables, you need to update those tables in SAS metadata so the column definitions remain the same.

Re: ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column

DavidPhillips2 — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 13:28:20 GMT

Is there a way to identify which table is out of sync? I updated the metadata for a full library to resolve the error.

Re: ERROR: Incorrect length in SAS Metadata Repository for column

SASKiwi — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 19:09:03 GMT

Yes, @pink_poodle's VCOLUMN example code will also identify the table.