topic Re: trying search for multiple text strings in a large dataset in SAS Programming

trying search for multiple text strings in a large dataset

rykwong — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 20:24:23 GMT

hi would like to search in a character variable in a large dataset. This variable "seriesdescription" contains free entry of text data (see screenshot). I have a set of 50 different strings in lower case that are buried in this variable at various positions.

I was using this code

vista=0;

if index(lowcase(seriesdescription),'3pl loc')>0 then vista=1;

if index(lowcase(seriesdescription),'cine')>0 then vista=1;

if index(lowcase(seriesdescription),'lge')>0 then vista=1;

I tried scan function but could not make it work.

but that is very cumbersome. Do you have a better solution ? thanks

Re: trying search for multiple text strings in a large dataset

Patrick — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 02:11:19 GMT

@rykwong Please post the same question only once.

This is a duplicate of https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/need-help-using-index-function-to-seach-for-multiple-strings/m-p/860769#M340027 where you've got already some answers.

Re: trying search for multiple text strings in a large dataset

SASKiwi — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 03:37:58 GMT

Also providing example data in screenshots is useless as we can't copy and paste it into code examples. Please provide the data in a usable form like a simple copy and paste.

Re: trying search for multiple text strings in a large dataset

rykwong — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 12:43:32 GMT

my apology. I thought the first one did not get through. many thanks for the answers