topic Re: SAS syntax coloring in SAS Programming

SAS syntax coloring

bussql — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:29:26 GMT

Dear All,

I would like to see the syntax with automatic colors. But when I open a sas script, the automatic coloring syntax does not work (All texts are in black). For example, File -> Open program

PROC IMPORT
DATAFILE="C:\Users\bussql\Downloads\erp_public_coefs_annual_240107.dta"
OUT=SASDatasetName
DBMS=dta REPLACE;
RUN;

But when I type the command editor (File -> New program) then automatic coloring works properly.

I do not know why. Your help to sort out this issue is appreciated. Thanks!

Re: SAS syntax coloring

Stu_SAS — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:00:16 GMT

Hey @bussql! What is your coding environment and version? SAS Studio, SAS Enterprise Guide, or the SAS VS Code Extension?

Re: SAS syntax coloring

bussql — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:25:17 GMT

I am sing SAS 9.4 (Enhanced editor). Thanks!

Re: SAS syntax coloring

Stu_SAS — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:25:02 GMT

Quick follow-up question: When you say SAS 9.4, do you mean the SAS executable (i.e. SAS Enhanced Editor) like this?

Or Enterprise Guide?

Re: SAS syntax coloring

bussql — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:06:06 GMT

I am using SAS 9.4 (Enhanced editor). Thanks!

Re: SAS syntax coloring

Quentin — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:33:56 GMT

Any chance your SAS program does not have a .sas extension? In Display Manager (PC SAS), if I use File-> Open Program to open myprogram.txt it will not syntax highlight it.

Re: SAS syntax coloring

bussql — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:16:42 GMT

Thank you for your reply. But it is so strange to me. My script file has a *.sas extension, not .txt. The thing is when I copy the code lines and past them to a new editor window then the syntax colors look normally as expected.

Re: SAS syntax coloring

Tom — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:27:35 GMT

Triple check your filename.

The second file's shown below has a space between the period and sas in the name.

Re: SAS syntax coloring

bussql — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:21:41 GMT

I try several files but non of them works as expected. Attached file is one example.

Re: SAS syntax coloring

mharding — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:08:57 GMT

Hi,

As previously suggested by others, it appears the editor is not recognizing the program. Since you mentioned that if you copy the code into a new program window it shows the Enhanced editor colors. Have you tried saving that program and then opening the new one.

Perhaps there are some unusual characters in the original program that are preventing SAS from understanding the text. Thanks,

Mary

Re: SAS syntax coloring

Tom — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:03:37 GMT

That file looks fine to me.

Try renaming it.

Here is picture of it working fine on my machine.

Also another example of a file that looks like it ends with .sas but really it has a non-breaking space at the end. SAS also does not think that is a SAS program file.