topic Re: Resolve macro variable in SAS Programming

Resolve macro variable

Aditi24 — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:01:00 GMT

Hi,

I have a macro variable :-

%let data1= cars;

%let data2= air;

%let data3= demo;

and I am using these macro in a do loop:-

%do i %to 3

proc print data=test1.data&i;
run;

%end;

But its not resolving to the desired variable. How to resolve this half macro half string macro variable.

Please Help.

Re: Resolve macro variable

LinusH — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:06:03 GMT

So you want for &i = 1 that data set resolve to cars?

You current logic resolves only &I as per you code. You need to apply a & if you want to use a name as a reference to macro variable name, and for resolution: &data1.

Since this is a two step resolution you need to add additional & so the resolution takes place in the order you need.

Re: Resolve macro variable

Aditi24 — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:08:33 GMT

Could you let me know how to doubly resolve this? @LinusH

Re: Resolve macro variable

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:10:53 GMT

For indirect macro variable references, you need to use a double ampersand:

%let data1= cars;
%let data2= class;
%let data3= heart;

%macro loop;
%do i = 1 %to 3;

proc print data=sashelp.&&data&i;
run;

%end;
%mend;
%loop

Use the "little running man" icon to post code, as it will preserve formatting of the code (no additional linefeeds etc when copy/pasting to SAS)

Re: Resolve macro variable

LinusH — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:42:19 GMT

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/mcrolref/69726/HTML/default/viewer.htm#n0vl7e3du5f7cjn1g4ajozqxe6b6.htm