topic Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric in SAS Programming

Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

LaiQ — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 06:23:28 GMT

Hello guys,

I know this problem has been answered a couple of times. But I tried most of the solution but I'm still unable to merge them and it's quite frustrating... so hope that you guys can help me see what's the problem here:

The data MATCH has account ID (numerical) with other variables and TOMATCH has only account ID (numerical) and counts (numberical). Hence, I would like to merge the files so that my new data COMBINEFILES will have the account numbers and the counts.

data match;
set match(rename=(account=acc));
account=input(acc,f15.);
drop acc;
run;

data tomatch;
set tomatch (rename=(account=acc));
account=input(acc,f15.);
drop acc;
run;

data combinefiles;
merge match (in=a) tomatch (in=b);
by account;
if a;
run;

But the output is always:

ERROR: Variable b has been defined as both character and numeric.
ERROR: Variable a has been defined as both character and numeric.

Really appreciate if you guys can help me.

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

Filipvdr — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 06:44:47 GMT

Do you have columns in match or tomatch where a/b is a variable? Try to rename in=a and in=b then.

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

pearsoninst — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 06:50:38 GMT

data match1;
input Account;
datalines;
1
2
3
5
;
data tomatch1;
input Account;
datalines;
1
2
3
6
;

data match;
set match1(rename=(account=acc));
account= put(acc,15.);
drop acc;
run;

data tomatch;
set tomatch1 (rename=(account=acc));
account=put(acc,15.);
drop acc;
run;

data combinefiles;
merge match1 (in=a) tomatch1 (in=b);
by account;
if a;
run;

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

Reeza — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 09:05:02 GMT

Your error doesn't match your data description.

Please post code and log if you need further assistance.

@pearsoninst Is correct about checking your IN variables.

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

LaiQ — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 09:14:29 GMT

Really sorry... I didn't check my variables properly as it's a huge dataset...

I have a variable named a and b so that's why I am unable to merge.

But thank you once again! Will check more diligently next time!

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

LaiQ — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 09:15:56 GMT

Sorry, I have variables that are a and b. Hence I'm not able to merge. Will check properly next time.

Re: Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

LaiQ — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 09:16:29 GMT

Sorry, found my error. Will check next time before posting. Thank you for your help anyway!