topic Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name in SAS Enterprise Guide

Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

naveenraj — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:06:15 GMT

Hi ,

I have a sas dataset with some columns. I need to change the variable name of the dataset as that variable name is producing an error when i am trying to register the table in metadata. How can i rename the variable if i know only part of the variable name.

Regards,

Naveen

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

LinusH — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:16:17 GMT

What do you mean that you only know a part of the name?

What kind of error do you get during registration?

Please show the real life example/elaborate more about the situation.

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

naveenraj — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:21:30 GMT

ERROR: Character is unclassifiable.

I think this is because of column name. so only i was asking how to rename a column. On seaching column name using proc content i got name as

test?_name of type num and length 8.

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

Kurt_Bremser — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:25:12 GMT

Do the following in a program window first:

data dataset;
set dataset;
rename 'test?_name'n = test_name;
run;

You should then be able to register the dataset.

It may be necessary to copy the variable name from the proc contents output and paste it into the string delimited by the single quotes, to avoid problems by different character representations.

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

LinusH — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:27:41 GMT

If this is a SAS dataset, you generally use PROC DATSETS to do this.

But you should be able to see the actual columns name if you issue a non-mete libname to the loaction of your SAS data files.

What is the setting of validvarname in the environment? And where did this data got created?

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

naveenraj — Mon, 30 May 2016 14:15:36 GMT

how to check the setting of validvarname. Sorry i have not changed any system settings in my environment. So i am not sure which autoexec file should i check

Re: Is it possible to rename variable name in a sas dataset if we know part of the variable name

LinusH — Mon, 30 May 2016 16:11:53 GMT

It's paramount to understand how and where system options are set.
Proc options;
Run;
Will give you the current setting in the workspace server (given execution in EG or DI Studio).
The setting "could" be different in the Metadata server, but that's unlikely if you haven't changed anything since initial setup.