topic Re: Data merging in SAS Programming

Data merging

Venki — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:40:10 GMT

Hello,

I have 2 different datasets. Dataset 1 has about 500 observations and 15 variables and Dataset 2 has 7500 observations and 250 variables.

I have to import that 250 variables from Dataset 2 for that 500 observations in Dataset 1 (note 500 observations in dataset 1 are present in dataset 2 by three common identifiers: last name, first name and IDnumber)

If I use a

merge dataset1 dataset2; by firstname lastname IDnumber;

I am thinking I am going to get 7500 observations with 500 of them having that 15 extra variables (-3 common identifiers) from dataset 1.

Any idea how else I could use to merge this and just have a new combined dataset that has 500 observations from Dataset with 15 + 250 variables ?

Your help is much appreciated !!!

Re: Data merging

Venki — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:50:14 GMT

Figured it out myself.

Just a simple delete command for a variable thats only present in dataset 1 but not in dataset2 by writing

if variable =' ' then delete;

worked like a charm

Just a little extra thinking that I was lacking when initially thinking about it.

Thanks anyways for folks reading this !

Re: Data merging

PGStats — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:52:46 GMT

You just need an extra statement:

merge dataset1(in=inD1) dataset2; by firstname lastname IDnumber;

if inD1;

Re: Data merging

Venki — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 04:11:53 GMT

Thanks so much. Thats really good to know !