topic simple macro: syntax error in SAS Procedures

simple macro: syntax error

bncoxuk — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:12:07 GMT

SAS said there is syntax error for &j:

%MACRO calnum;
%DO j=1 %TO 2;
%DO i=1 %TO 10;
     PROC UNIVARIATE DATA=work.data&j;
       VAR diff;
       OUTPUT OUT=work.pctile&j%SYSFUNC(PUTN(&i,z2.)) PCTLPRE=P&j_ PCTLPTS=1 to 100 BY 1;
     RUN;
%END;
%END;
%MEND;

It seemed that the use of work.data&j is fine, but it is error to specify it as: PCTLPRE=P&j_

How can I put this right?

simple macro: syntax error

Linlin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:21:28 GMT

please change

PCTLPRE=P&j_ PCTLPTS=1 to 100 BY 1; to

PCTLPRE=P&j._ PCTLPTS=1 to 100 BY 1;

simple macro: syntax error

Tom — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:30:58 GMT

LinLin's answer should solve the problem. SAS will interpret &J_ as a request to expand the non existent macro variable named J_. Placing the period after the J will let SAS know that you want to expand the value of the macro variable J instead.