topic Re: how to change a date format correctly? in New SAS User

how to change a date format correctly?

PierreYvesILY — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 09:51:49 GMT

dear SAS experts,

I have very ofter the same problem: I need to change the format of a date for another, and it is always sourec of many dificulties.

I want to change the following : 07MAR1996:00:00:00 (format is DATETIME20.)

into : 07.03.1996 (format : ddmmyyp10.)

how should I proceed?

thanks in advance,

regards

Re: how to change a date format correctly?

ed_sas_member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:11:18 GMT

Dear @PierreYvesILY ,

You can do it in a data step or in a proc datasets

data mytable;
	set mytable;
	format date ddmmyyp10.; /* specify the variable name and the desired format*/
run;

proc datasets library=work;
	modify mytable ;
	format date ddmmyyp10.; /* specify the variable name and the desired format*/
quit;

Re: how to change a date format correctly?

PierreYvesILY — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:15:12 GMT

I already tried the first solution, and it doesn't work, thus my question.

I guess the problem comes from the 0:00:00 after the date. The problem seems to convert the datetime into a date, then applying the format is easy.

Re: how to change a date format correctly?

ed_sas_member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:42:36 GMT

I suggest that you try the datepart() function as follows :

data have;
	input date DATETIME20.;
	format date DATETIME20.;
	cards;
07MAR1996:00:00:00
	;
run;

data want;
	set have;
	format date2 ddmmyyp10.;
	date2 = datepart(date);
run;

Hope this help !

Re: how to change a date format correctly?

PierreYvesILY — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:44:32 GMT

Thank you, I got the desired answer.

Re: how to change a date format correctly?

ed_sas_member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:45:54 GMT

Awesome !

Have a great day.

Best,