topic Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric in SAS Programming

Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric

Chiefsfan4ever — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:07:50 GMT

Good Morning All,

I have a large data set that is reading in an excel file that has character and numeric values in the file. The variable names are Var5-Var205 and are charater. I was hoping to write an array-do loop to convert these variables to numeric. I can't seem to figure it out. I've looked for another discussion and can't find anything. If someone knows the solution or has another discussion available, I'd appreciate it.

Have a great day.

Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric

art297 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:23:19 GMT

How about:

data have;

retain var5-var205 (201*"12");

output;

run;

data want (drop=i in:);

set have (rename=(var5-var205=invar5-invar205));

array in(201) $ invar:;

array var(201);

do i=1 to 201;

var(i)=input(in(i),best12.);

end;

run;

Of course, if you don't need your variables to be labeled "var", you would get rid of the annoying notes in the output.

Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric

Chiefsfan4ever — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:32:36 GMT

Art,

I tried doing something similar. Here is what I wrote:

data final;

set test3;

format var305-var505 13.2;

array variable(201) var5-var205;

array new(201) var305-var505;

do i =1 to 201;

new(i)=put(variable(i),13.2);

end;

run;

In multiple rows, I have data like 198,487.33 and it outputs it in the new variable as a period. Same thing happens with code like yours. Thoughts?

Re: Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric

art297 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:38:10 GMT

Can you attach a file that contains a couple of records from your original file? Your code wouldn't work because you: (1) don't indicate that the first array is going to contain character variables and (2) the correct function to use to convert character to numeric would be input, not put.

I would try it again, but using the code i suggested, but use a comma. informat rather than the best12. or whichever one I had suggested. See: http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrdict/64316/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a000204404.htm

Many Variable Names convert from Character to Numeric

Chiefsfan4ever — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:51:35 GMT

Using the Comma. works. Thanks a lot Art!