topic Re: How to proc import a text file containing just one line in SAS Enterprise Guide

How to proc import a text file containing just one line

alepage — Wed, 07 May 2025 20:46:01 GMT

Hello,

I have a text file like that: PB.PXDWXBX.SEDWVPAB.MP0|2918951|255186908|

Here's the code:

%let path1=/****/control/  ;

proc import datafile = "&path1./control/be_MAR2025_premcntrlfile.txt'
 out = classic_control_file
 dbms = dlm
 replace
 ;
 delimiter = '|';
run;

I have tried the above sas code and I am getting the error: Unable to sample external file, no data in first 5 records. ERROR: Import unsuccessful. See SAS Log for details

How to solve that issue

Re: How to proc import a text file containing just one line

data_null__ — Wed, 07 May 2025 21:28:01 GMT

You probably just need GETNAMES=NO;

filename FT15F001 temp;
parmcards;
PB.PXDWXBX.SEDWVPAB.MP0|2918951|255186908|
;;;;

proc import datafile=Ft15F001 out=test dbms=csv;
   getnames=no;
   delimiter='|';
   run;

proc print;
   run;

Re: How to proc import a text file containing just one line

ballardw — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:26:43 GMT

Is this "one line" file supposed to have more than one observation?

I ask because there are some files that do not use end of line or carriage controls as record delimiters and Proc Import is likely not to be the tool to read such.

Re: How to proc import a text file containing just one line

Tom — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:41:12 GMT

You rarely need (or want) to use PROC IMPORT to read a delimited text file. And for a file like that it goes triple.

Just READ the file.

You could read it into multiple observations if you are not sure how many values are on the line.

First lets convert your example into a FILE so we have something to program against.

filename have temp;
options parmcards=have;
parmcards;
PB.PXDWXBX.SEDWVPAB.MP0|2918951|255186908|
;;;;

Now just run a normal SAS data step to read in the file.

data want;
  infile have dsd dlm='|';
  var+1;
  input value :$20. @@;
run;

Results

Obs    var    value

 1      1     PB.PXDWXBX.SEDWVPAB.
 2      2     2918951
 3      3     255186908
 4      4