topic Re: Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths in New SAS User

Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths

mady3 — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:07:52 GMT

My data has the following variables:

SSN ($11)

Inits ($4)

City ($20)

ZipCd (8)

StateCd ($2)

The following is the code I have:

DATA WORK.XXX;
SET YYY;

IF State = 'IOWA' THEN StateCd = 'IA';

KEEP SSN -- ZipCd;
KEEP StateCd;
DROP Sex -- BirthDt;
DROP State;

Initials=CATS(Scan(Initials, -1, ','), SCAN(Initials, 1, ','));

RENAME Initials = Inits;
City = PROPCASE(City);

RUN;

I am trying to change the 'ZipCd' variable from numeric to character as well as change the length from 8 to 5. I have tried a PUT function but due to the other statements in my code I am unsure on the placement of the PUT function that will allow these changes.

Thank you!

Re: Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths

Amir — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 07:54:08 GMT

Hi @mady3,

Once a variable's type has been set it cannot be changed, so you'll have to create another variable, e.g. c_ZipCd as character, assign it the value held in ZipCd, drop ZipCd and then rename your c_ZipCd to ZipCd.

Kind regards,

Amir.

Re: Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths

Amir — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 10:21:13 GMT

Hi @mady3,

An example of what I described in my initial response can be seen below:

data want(rename = (c_height = height));
   set sashelp.class;

   length c_height $ 4;

   c_height = put(height,4.1);

   drop height;
run;

Kind regards,

Amir.

Re: Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths

mady3 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 06:25:47 GMT

Hi Amir,

I appreciate your help!

Best 🙂

Re: Changing numeric variable to character variable with different lengths

Amir — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 08:49:31 GMT

Hi @mady3,

No problem, happy to help when I can. Does that mean your problem has been addressed or do you still have an issue?

If it is addressed then you can mark a response as the solution, otherwise post details of the issue.

Kind regards,

Amir.