topic Re: Macro variable value with percents in SAS Programming

Macro variable value with percents

kalbo — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:18:27 GMT

hi, im trying to create a macro variable containing a search term such as %UNS%.

I will need to use this search term many times throughout the program.

For example:

%let searchterm=%UNS%;

data out;

set in (where=(visit like "&searchterm")) ;

run;

The problem is that the % is messing things up. How can I use such a macro variable?

Re: Macro variable value with percents

PaigeMiller — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:30:56 GMT

%let searchterm=%nrstr(%%)UNS%nrstr(%%);

Re: Macro variable value with percents

Ksharp — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:35:27 GMT

%let searchterm=%nrstr( %F% );

data out;
set sashelp.heart (where=(sex like "&searchterm")) ;
run;

Re: Macro variable value with percents

maguiremq — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:38:04 GMT

Use %NRBQUOTE.

data have;
input visit $;
datalines;
%UNS%
%NO%
%HI%
;
run;

%let searchterm = %nrbquote(%UNS%);

%put &searchterm.;

data want;
set have (where = (visit like "&searchterm"));
run;

Obs visit 
1 %UNS%

https://v8doc.sas.com/sashtml/macro/z4bquote.htm

Re: Macro variable value with percents

Tom — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:48:30 GMT

Why not just include the quotes in the macro variable? The macro processor ignores strings bounded on the outside by single quotes.

%let searchterm='%UNS%';
data out;
  set in (where=(visit like &searchterm )) ;
run;

Or use a different search method.

%let searchterm=UNS;
data out;
  set in (where=(index(visit,"&searchterm")) ;
run;

Re: Macro variable value with percents

Ksharp — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 13:49:19 GMT

Tom,
Good idea. But That is not readable for some user .