topic Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable in SAS Programming

sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

Ronein — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 05:49:19 GMT

Hello

I have a macro varaible called My1 with values X Y Z

I want to create a new macro variable called My2 based on My1 macro variable that will get values 'X' 'Y' 'Z'

%let My1=X Y Z;
/**Want to calculate a new macro var called My2 get values 'X'  'Y'  'Z'

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

Kurt_Bremser — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:28:34 GMT

Use a DATA step (simpler code).

Define a maximum length (32767) character variable.

Proceed through the macro variable (COUNTW and SCAN functions), use the QUOTE function to add the single quotes, and CATX to store the results in the new variable.

CALL SYMPUTX to create the new macro variable.

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

yabwon — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 10:09:49 GMT

Use the basePlus package's %zipEvalf() macro:

%loadPackage(BasePlus)

resetline;
%let My1=X Y Z;

%let My2 =%zipEvalf(&My1., %str(%'), function=quote);

%put &=my1. &=my2.;

Bart

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

Patrick — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:02:00 GMT

Here one way to go

%let My1=X Y Z;
%let My2=%sysfunc(prxchange(s/(\w+)/'$1'/i,-1,&My1));
%put &=My2;

 69         %let My1=X Y Z;
 70         %let My2=%sysfunc(prxchange(s/(\w+)/'$1'/i,-1,&My1));
 71         %put &=My2;
 MY2='X' 'Y' 'Z'

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

PaigeMiller — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:12:06 GMT

Use the %QLIST macro

https://github.com/sasutils/macros/blob/master/qlist.sas

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

Quentin — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:18:55 GMT

Take a look at Richard DeVenezia's %seplist() utility. It will do that and more. https://www.devenezia.com/downloads/sas/macros/index.php?m=seplist

Re: sas add single quotes for each argument in macro variable

WarrenKuhfeld — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:53:26 GMT

@Kurt_Bremser just gave you the best advice that anyone can give about the macro language. Don't use it when there is a simpler alternative such as DATA step processing.