topic Re: Turn Character to numaric in SAS Programming

Turn Character to numaric

hhchenfx — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 23:52:55 GMT

Hello,

I know it is not new but I am so curious how SAS handle the following problem

I try different way and I find that it work when I create new variable to replace the old one.

Can anyone help me to explain why some methods (documented below works) while some don't?

Is there any way where I can simply tell SAS to change the format?

Thank you.


data have;
input total $7.;
datalines;
12.51
12309.51
;run;

data want; set have;
*no work;
total=total+0;	
total=input(total,best12.);
total=input(total,COMMA8.2);

*works;
total_num1=total+0;
total_num2=input(total,best12.);
total_num3=input(total,8.2);
total_num4=input(total,COMMA12.);
total_num5=input(total,COMMA8.2);

run;

Re: Turn Character to numaric

Reeza — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 21:52:40 GMT

What is your HAVE data set?

Re: Turn Character to numaric

Reeza — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 21:55:43 GMT

A SAS variable type cannot change, ie character to numeric with the same name is not possible.

You can create a new variable with a numeric format, ergo the last examples work. You can mimic what you want by renaming the variable on your SET statement or providing a new name.

Re: Turn Character to numaric

hhchenfx — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 23:51:01 GMT

oh,

here it is.

data have;
input total $7.;
datalines;
12.51
12309.51
;run;