topic Re: convert numeric to char-missing values in SAS Programming

convert numeric to char-missing values

Ronein — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:54:29 GMT

Hello

I want to convert numeric into char.

The problem is that the missing numeric values are converted into '.' and I want to have '' (without period).

I can write a statement IF C_char='.' then C_char='';

But my question if there is another way to do it?

data have;
input x;
cards;
100
200
.
300
.
600
;
Run;

data want;
set have;
x_char=put(x,best.);
x_char2=put(x,8.-L);
Run;

Re: convert numeric to char-missing values

Kurt_Bremser — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:53:26 GMT

First, I would try

options missing=" ";

but I can't test in the moment if this also works for PUT functions.

Or you use a custom format:

proc format;
value mybest
  . = " "
  other = [best.]
;
run;

data want;
set have;
x_char=put(x,mybest.);
run;

Re: convert numeric to char-missing values

PaigeMiller — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:36:20 GMT

The idea of converting numeric to character just so you can change the appearance of a value bothers me. When you want to change the appearance of something, you use a custom format or a built-in SAS format. It seems that this conversion from numeric to character isn't necessary, it's extra work with no apparent benefit.

Using the custom format from @Kurt_Bremser , this works without the unnecessary step of changing from numeric to character:

proc print data=have;
    var x;
    format x mybest.;
run;

As stated many times already, @Ronein , please test your code before posting it. The code you posted generated errors.

Re: convert numeric to char-missing values

Ronein — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:57:25 GMT

100%, always better to change the appearance (format) than convert from numeric to char.