topic Re: Using like operator with marco variables, not able to search for characters before value of marc in New SAS User

Using like operator with marco variables, not able to search for characters before value of marco?

helloagainoh2 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:29:57 GMT

Hi I am having trouble searching the Marco variable before the name, in this case I have a marco named ParkCode with the value OSE. I want to be able to search for %OSE% by using the marco in the where statement, but as you can see in the log I am only getting back "%&ParkCode%", instead of "%OSE%".

What could be the reason for this?

Re: Using like operator with marco variables, not able to search for characters before value of marc

PhilC — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:44:19 GMT

That's a dilemma. I don't think there a less messy way about this.

proc sql;
  select model
    from SAShelp.cars 
    where model like "%ac%"
;
quit;

%let macvar=ac;

proc sql;
  select model
    from SAShelp.cars 
    where model like cat('%',"&macvar",'%')
;
quit;

proc sql;
  select model
    from SAShelp.cars 
    where model like '%'||"&macvar"||'%'
;
quit;

Re: Using like operator with marco variables, not able to search for characters before value of marc

ballardw — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:28:04 GMT

PLEASE post code as text not a picture.

Copy from the editor (or log) and paste into a text box opened on the forum with either of the </> or "running man" icons.

It is much easier to copy/paste and edit for us to make suggestions to code than to retype everything from scratch.

The FIND or INDEX functions will work in a where condition:

%let pattern= AN;

proc print data=sashelp.class;
   where find(name,"&pattern.",'i')>0;
run;

Find will return the starting character position number of the 'pattern', or to find value, in the string variable or value as the first argument to the function. the modifier 'i' says to ignore case, which may or may not be desired. If case sensitive then omit the ,'i' bit.

Re: Using like operator with marco variables, not able to search for characters before value of marc

FreelanceReinh — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 21:48:20 GMT

Hi @helloagainoh2,

Just duplicate the first percent sign:

where Species_ID like "%%&ParkCode%" and ...