topic Two Macros in Data x; Set y; Statement in SAS Programming

Two Macros in Data x; Set y; Statement

DavidPhillips2 — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:47:10 GMT

Is there something I need to do to use two macro variables in a row dynamically?

%let yearVar = 1617;

%let yearTypeVar = 'S';

This works:

data year&yearVar; set work.combined2;
run;

Using the second variable causes

data year&yearVar&yearTypeVar; set work.combined2;
run;

ERROR: User does not have appropriate authorization level for library WC000001.

Re: Two Macros in Data x; Set y; Statement

Astounding — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:55:49 GMT

Resolving the macro variables shows that your proposed data set name is illegal:

data year1617'S'; set work.combined2;

If you intended that your data set name should be:

year1617S

The usual way to achieve that would be to omit the quotes when assigning a value:

%let yearTypeVar = S;

Then in sections of the code where you need quotes, refer to the macro variable within double-quotes:

"&yearTypeVar"

Re: Two Macros in Data x; Set y; Statement

Reeza — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:00:21 GMT

data year&yearVar&yearTypeVar;

How does SAS know where the macro variable ends?

Make sure to end it with a period when using them in text or back to back.

data year&yearVar.&yearTypeVar.;

In general, using a period at the end always is going to lead to less errors than leaving it out.

PS. Yes, I know people on here will disagree with that last statement 🙂

Re: Two Macros in Data x; Set y; Statement

Astounding — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:04:49 GMT

There's nothing wrong with adding a period at the end of macro variable names. However, it's not the source of the problem here, and it won't change the error condition in this particular case.