https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Handling-missing-values-or-null-value-in-raw-data/m-p/64816#M14084 How can I handle the missing values in a field (VSTMD) thats a varchar datatype (sql table raw data) and that has to be written into a numeric SAS date field? Since it has "null" value, SAS considers as both character and numeric variable. How can this be resolved? Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:32:22 GMT deleted_user 2010-08-17T16:32:22Z https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Handling-missing-values-or-null-value-in-raw-data/m-p/64816#M14084 How can I handle the missing values in a field (VSTMD) thats a varchar datatype (sql table raw data) and that has to be written into a numeric SAS date field? Since it has "null" value, SAS considers as both character and numeric variable. How can this be resolved? Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:32:22 GMT https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Handling-missing-values-or-null-value-in-raw-data/m-p/64816#M14084 deleted_user 2010-08-17T16:32:22Z https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Handling-missing-values-or-null-value-in-raw-data/m-p/64817#M14085 A SAS variable is either CHARACTER or NUMERIC, in type. Normally the SAS CHARACTER type variable is either blank or non-blank, and a SAS NUMERIC type variable is either considered to have a MISSING value or a non-MISSING value.<BR /> <BR /> Since SAS DATE / DATETIME variables are NUMERIC type, you can set a missing value, such as MYDATE=. or if you attempt to use the INPUT function to convert a string to a date and the input-data is invalid, SAS will set the automatic variable _ERROR_=1 which is an indication of a problem - in addition to SAS setting the variable to a missing value, as well.<BR /> <BR /> There is a MISSING function you may find the opportunity to use - check the SAS DOC.<BR /> <BR /> Also, suggest reviewing the DOC on SAS variables.<BR /> <BR /> Scott Barry<BR /> SBBWorks, Inc.<BR /> <BR /> Suggested Google advanced search argument, this topic / post:<BR /> <BR /> sas variable missing value site:sas.com Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:22:13 GMT https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Handling-missing-values-or-null-value-in-raw-data/m-p/64817#M14085 sbb 2010-08-17T18:22:13Z