how to remove a prefix from every variable name in a dataset

chandler — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 20:30:54 GMT

I have a bunch of datasets that have been recreated on a new server. However, the variable names now have a four letter prefix (table name_variable name).

In order for my legacy programs to read these datasets in the new server, I want to rename to variables to display without the table name prefix, thus, saving me from recoding all of my programs.

Re: how to remove a prefix from every variable name in a dataset

Tom — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 21:00:21 GMT

Use the RENAME statement (which will work for actual SAS datasets).

Get the list of variables. Generate the RENAME statement.

You do them all at once by using PROC DATASETS.

proc contents data=mylib._all_ noprint out=contents; run;

filename code temp;
data _null_;
  set contents;
  by memname;
  file code;
  if first.memname then put 'modify ' memname ';' / @3 'rename ' ;
  length old new $70 ;
  old=nliteral(name);
  new=nliteral(substr(name,5));
  put @5 old '=' new ;
  if last.memname then put @3 ';' / 'run;' ;
run;

proc datasets nolist lib=mylib;
%include code / source2;
quit;

topic how to remove a prefix from every variable name in a dataset in SAS Programming

how to remove a prefix from every variable name in a dataset

Re: how to remove a prefix from every variable name in a dataset