topic Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space? in New SAS User

how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

awais — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:01:37 GMT

Hi SAS community;

I am running into an issue wherein I am unable to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent spacing. I am using the following codes to import the file but getting weird output. I have attached the file for your reference as well.

proc import datafile = '/folders/myfolders/MyRawData/base-guide-practice-data/cert/class.txt'
dbms=tab
out=pg1.class
replace;
delimiter = '09'x;
getnames=yes;

run;

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

andreas_lds — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:55:56 GMT

Looking at the file you provided I can't see any inconsistency, but Notepad++ does not show any tabs, but spaces.

So switching to a data-step will be the easiest way to solve importing problems:

 data pg1.class;
   length 
      Name $ 10
      Gender $ 1
      Age 8
   ;
   infile '/folders/myfolders/MyRawData/base-guide-practice-data/cert/class.txt' firstobs=2;
   input @1 Name @10 Gender @19 Age;
run;

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

PGStats — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:57:13 GMT

For some reason, your file contains no tabs but spaces. Replace the spaces between fields with single tabs and your code will read the file just fine.

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

Ksharp — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:02:33 GMT

If it is not tab delimited file ,using blank as delimiter .

proc import datafile = '/folders/myfolders/MyRawData/base-guide-practice-data/cert/class.txt'
dbms=dlm
out=pg1.class
replace;
delimiter = ' ' ;
getnames=yes;

run;

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

awais — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:52:20 GMT

Good solution but I wanted to use proc import. truly appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

awais — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:52:48 GMT

Good solution but I wanted to use proc import. Truly appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

awais — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:55:03 GMT

changed the codes as following but still not reading it properly.

PROC IMPORT DATAFILE = '/folders/myfolders/MyRawData/base-guide-practice-data/cert/class.txt'
OUT=CLASSEPORT
DBMS = dlm
REPLACE;
GETNAMES=YES;
DELIMITER = ' ';
RUN;

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

PGStats — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:57:40 GMT

My suggestion was about changing the data, not the code.

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

awais — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 04:05:59 GMT

what if the data size is big and changing the source isn't possible? I am more interested in knowing the solution of this particular challenge 🙂 otherwise, reading data by using input statement can do the magic as well.

Re: how to import a tab delimited file with inconsistent tab space?

PGStats — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 04:20:54 GMT

Then reading the data along the lines suggested by @andreas_lds is the way to go. Proc import is meant to simplify your life when you meet more complicated situations.