topic how to create a format using string of a value using proc format in SAS Programming

how to create a format using string of a value using proc format

knveraraju91 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:08:40 GMT

Dear,

I need to create a format from a part of a string using scan function. I am getting errors. Please suggest. Thank you

%let treat1=Placebo + chemotherapy / Placebo;

proc format;
    value pcrfmt
   1=scan(&treat1.,1,'/')||"Responder"
   2=scan(&treat1.,1,'/')||"Non-Responder"
   
run;

Re: how to create a format using string of a value using proc format

Tom — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:20:43 GMT

You cannot run data step code inside the middle of statement inside a PROC. You need to use macro code to generate text that SAS will see as code to be run.

proc format;
  value pcrfmt
   1="%scan(&treat1.,1,/) Responder"
   2="%scan(&treat1.,2,/) Non-Responder"
  ;
run;

You probably do not want those spaces around the / in your TREAT1 macro variable.

%let treat1=Placebo + chemotherapy/Placebo;

If you cannot get rid of them then it might be better to pull the string out first and then use it in the formatted label.

%let treat1=Placebo + chemotherapy / Placebo;
proc format;
  value pcrfmt
%let value=%scan(&treat1.,1,/);
   1="&value. Responder"
%let value=%scan(&treat1.,2,/);
   2="&value. Non-Responder"
  ;
run;

Re: how to create a format using string of a value using proc format

Reeza — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:13:36 GMT

I would suggest creating a format using a data set and then using CNTLIN within PROC FORMAT. There's a paper called not just another pretty face - proc format that's a great reference for understanding how to create a format.
Otherwise you could consider having a partial format.

If you really want that to work, use %SCAN() or wrap it in %SYSFUNC()

Re: how to create a format using string of a value using proc format

ballardw — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:51:11 GMT

@knveraraju91 wrote:

Dear,

I need to create a format from a part of a string using scan function. I am getting errors. Please suggest. Thank you
%let treat1=Placebo + chemotherapy / Placebo;

proc format;
    value pcrfmt
   1=scan(&treat1.,1,'/')||"Responder"
   2=scan(&treat1.,1,'/')||"Non-Responder"
   
run;

May I ask why you need macro code to build this? If the values "Placebo" and "chemotherapy" are coming from somewhere that you aren't sure what they may be and used to create Treat1 perhaps describing that would be the place to start. Is there a list or something that holds the corresponding "responder" and "non-responder" somewhere? Otherwise this appears way more overkill than is warranted by this example.