topic Re: Trim Variable in SAS Programming

Trim Variable

KC_16 — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:00:53 GMT

Hi,

I have a variable (Order_Number) which typically has 11 numbers, in some instances, it has a ',' or a text after. Is there anyway to remove anything after the 11th Number please?

Thanks

Re: Trim Variable

ballardw — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:02:43 GMT

You say "typically", are the values you want ever shorter than 11?

in a data step:

string = substr(string,1,11);

will remove anything passed the 11th character.

Re: Trim Variable

PeterClemmensen — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:02:59 GMT

I would simply set an appropriate length like this

data _null_;
    length Order_Number $11;
    Order_Number='12345678912,';
    put Order_Number=;
run;

Result:

Order_Number=12345678912

Re: Trim Variable

KC_16 — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:11:36 GMT

Thanks for this, how would I do this using PROC SQL? I have 2 parts of inherited code so I need the logic in a Data step (thank you) and the same logic in a PROC SQL if possible please?

Re: Trim Variable

PeterClemmensen — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:13:37 GMT

data have;
Order_Number='12345678912,';
run;

proc sql;
    create table want as
    select Order_Number length=11
    from have;
quit;