topic Re: How to compare two character fields to check if they are equal in SAS Enterprise Guide

How to compare two character fields to check if they are equal

AMIN_DA — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 03:37:51 GMT

Hi All,

I would like to check if 2 addresses are equal. I am using Compare function but for the ones I assume they are equal instead of 0 I get a number.

here is my example:

Add1	Add2
11 JANE ST	11 JANE ST

compare(Add1,Add2) but instread of 0 it SAS EG gives me 5. I checked in Excel and Excel resut is these 2 are equal.

Would you please help out with this issu?

Re: How to compare two character fields to check if they are equal

Reeza — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 03:45:52 GMT

Please provide a reproducible sample so that we replicate your issue.

If you can't replicate it, it's an issue with your data. Try looking at the data with a HEX format to see if its different.

You may have spaces in one and a different invisible character in others.

Here's an example of how to use the HEX format to see the difference

data class;
set sashelp.class;

put name $hex32.;
run;

Re: How to compare two character fields to check if they are equal

AMIN_DA — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 04:13:05 GMT

Thank you Reeza for replying quickly.

I changed the format to $hex32. and I see they are different as below in the 9th postion from left and some other letters as well inside the string.

Add1	Add2
11 JANE ST	11 JANE ST
3131204A616E65205374202020202020	3131204A414E45205354202020202020

I have not with HEX format before and not sure if I've got your advice right and also I dont know how to recognise if it is because of space or not. So could you please let me know how I can remove potential space inside the text if there is any solution?

Regards,

Re: How to compare two character fields to check if they are equal

AMIN_DA — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 04:56:08 GMT

it was fixed by COMPARE(TRIM(UPCASE(Add1 )), TRIM(UPCASE( Add2)))

thanks again Reeza