topic Re: Macro variable with multiple values in SAS Programming

Macro variable with multiple values

greg6363 — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 21:56:07 GMT

I was able to get access to a database but it contains 276 separate tables. In order to see what variables are in each table, I can use PROC CONTENTS to get a list of said variables but it’s too laborious to write a PROC CONTENTS statement for each table. Is it possible to create a macro with a macro variable called TABLE in order to call the name of each individual table from a list? Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Macro variable with multiple values

PaigeMiller — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:00:20 GMT

No macros needed.

Issue the proper LIBNAME statement to connect to this database. Then find the view named SASHELP.VCOLUMN and look at that. All the information about the variables and the tables in this database is in there.

Re: Macro variable with multiple values

SASKiwi — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:12:47 GMT

What is your objective? To write queries of these tables or something else? What database are you accessing?

Re: Macro variable with multiple values

Astounding — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 23:55:42 GMT

PROC CONTENTS contains a shortcut for doing exactly what you want:

proc contents data=libname._all_ ;
run;

Re: Macro variable with multiple values

greg6363 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 06:08:37 GMT

I thought you could only use the _all_ in a PUT statement. Let me give it a try. Thanks.