topic Re: How to import dbf file into sas in SAS Programming

How to import dbf file into sas

Kayla_Tan222 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 01:36:59 GMT

Hi,

I want to import a dbf file which I created from vfoxpro into sas.

Here's my code below

proc import datafile = '\C:\Data\PL\DBF\PL.dbf'

out= pm.Plcm

REPLACE

dbms = dbf;

the system keep saying non-supported file is specified. How can I do with this problem?

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

ChrisNZ — Tue, 28 May 2019 02:38:02 GMT

Why does the file have a CSV extension?

If it is a CSV file, use the CSV engine:

dbms=csv

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

PGStats — Tue, 28 May 2019 02:39:33 GMT

The data file type should match the DBMS= request. Try DBMS=CSV.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

heffo — Tue, 28 May 2019 02:40:29 GMT

Is the file a CSV file or a dbf file? Your code indicates that it is a csv file. Verify what happens if you try to open the file in notepad or similar program.

I don't know but I found this text:

Note:

To import DBF files created with Microsoft Visual FoxPro, you must export to an appropriate dBASE format using Visual FoxPro. Import the dBASE file to SAS.

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/acpcref/63184/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a003102096.htm

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

heffo — Tue, 28 May 2019 03:01:53 GMT

Can you verify that the file is actually a dbf file? E.g. try to import it back to vfoxpro.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

Kayla_Tan222 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 01:39:10 GMT

Sorry, its a typo. the actual code is below with .dbf

proc import datafile = '\C:\Data\PL\DBF\PL.dbf'

out= pm.Plcm

REPLACE

dbms = dbf;

I unable to get the result. WHat wrong with this code?

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

PGStats — Tue, 28 May 2019 03:31:03 GMT

SAS ability to import from DBF files is part of SAS/ACCESS, which requires a separate licence.

You could try importing the DBF into MS-Excel or MS-Access and exporting the data as a CSV. Importting from CSVs is included in Base SAS.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

Kayla_Tan222 — Tue, 28 May 2019 03:40:04 GMT

i have tried to export my dbf file to excel csv in vfoxpro, but then my records was too much, the excel only store some of the records but not all.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

ChrisNZ — Tue, 28 May 2019 04:22:19 GMT

> my records was too much, the excel only store some of the records but not all.

This is unclear. There is no limit to the amount of data a CSV file can store. Even if Excel cannot read it all, it's there.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

Kayla_Tan222 — Tue, 28 May 2019 04:28:43 GMT

For ex:
I have 1000 data in vfox
However when i export it to excel it only has 500 data in excel after i export it

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

SASKiwi — Tue, 28 May 2019 04:44:15 GMT

Submit this - proc setinit; run; - to confirm if SAS/ACCESS Interface to PC Files is licensed or not and - proc product_status; run - to confirm if it is installed.

If this product is installed then reading DBF files should be possible.

Re: How to import dbf file into sas

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 28 May 2019 07:18:09 GMT

Creating csv files in MS Visual Foxpro is very simple:

USE some.dbf

COPY TO some.csv TYPE CSV

(taken from https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/9e68b095-83f5-40d4-a764-d1d1dd8ff140/convert-foxpro-table-to-quotcsvquot-file?forum=visualfoxprogeneral)

Then you just inspect the file with a proper editor (eg notepad++) to see the structure and content. From that, write the necessary data step. No license beyond Base needed.