topic Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized in SAS Programming

Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

pharmacygirl — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 02:58:52 GMT

Hi,

I'm trying to run a t-test and I can't get SAS to recognize a generated transposed variable. I also don't know why it generated two of the same columns. When I attempt to rename or drop it, it gives the same error message as well:

ERROR: Variable LABEL_OF_FORMER_VARIABLE not found.

Is there a way to create the same column or copy it again so that SAS will be able to analyze it? I would REALLY appreciate any help on this because I've been stuck on this problem for days! 😞 Attached a screenshot.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Jagadishkatam — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 03:09:40 GMT

not sure if you could use in the var statement of proc ttest the character variable (LABEL_OF_FORMER_VARIABLE), we are supposed to use the numeric variable.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 03:40:10 GMT

You're seeing the variable LABEL not the variable NAME.

I would guess the variable name is actually _LABEL_ but verify it either by switching to the variable name (in View Menu) or using PROC CONTENTS.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 03:41:54 GMT

This is in addition to @Jagadishkatam correct statement that the VAR requires a numeric variable. The variable to be analyzed goes in the VAR statement, the categorical variable goes as the CLASS variable.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

PGStats — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 03:43:34 GMT

"NAME OF FORMER VARIABLE" and "LABEL OF FORMER VARIABLE" are variable labels, not names. The corresponding variable names are _NAME_ and _LABEL_.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Larrihoover — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 15:24:36 GMT

I think to clarify:

proc transpose data=old_data out = new_data (rename=(_NAME_= Field) drop = _LABEL_);
id transposed_field;
label Field = 'Field';
run;

Note: Works but does give a warning that Field is not found on the old_data set.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 15:41:22 GMT

The label statement applies to the input data set not the output.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Larrihoover — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:05:16 GMT

My output data set has Name: Field, Label: Field. If I remove the label line of code the field has Name: Field Label: NAME OF FORMER VARIABLE.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:07:59 GMT

Do you still get the warning if your remove the LABEL statement?

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Larrihoover — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:11:26 GMT

No, is there a way around that inside the transpose procedure? The warning isn't effecting me now but I am worried if I start using this dynamically.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:18:50 GMT

Try using the old variable name in the LABEL statement, instead of the new variable name. Order of operations issue, I think.

Re: Proc Transpose help - "Name of Former Variable" column not recognized

Reeza — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:19:21 GMT

FYI - you should start your own question and not use a question that's a few months old and may not fully relate to your issue.