topic Re: create macro variables for list of observations in SAS Procedures

create macro variables for list of observations

deleted_user — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:14:00 GMT

hi,

I have a data set with one column which looks like this

VAR1
a
b
c
d
e
.
k

I need to create macro variables for each observation, like:

&name1 = a
&name2 = b
..

Can you tell me how can i do that?

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

sbb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:26:52 GMT

Using PROC SQL, you can use the SELECT INTO :V1-Vnn technique to generate the SAS macro variables.

Here is a useful Google advanced search argument which provides some matches for reference and examples:

proc sql generate macro variable list into site:sas.com

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

deleted_user — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:58:50 GMT

I tried to do the same thing but it wasnt doing it.

proc sql;
select column1 into :name1-:name&totobs
from work.filenames_list;
quit;

%put &&name&5;
(It does not resolove)

I think I'm writing it wrong at name&totobs. How should I do it?

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

sbb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:03:20 GMT

After your PROC SQL executes, issue the command:

%PUT _USER_;

The output will show you the SAS macro variables generated, if any, by your PROC SQL execution.

And if you are trying to iterate through the variable list, please share all of the related macro code you are executing, preferably in a SAS log perspective, with any errors. This info will help with providing feedback.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

deleted_user — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:53:56 GMT

When I use %put _user_;
It does list all the variables in the log. But, It does not resolve when i use %put &&name&i.

My later part of the code looks like this and it does not resolve there too.

853
854
855 %do i=1 %to &totobs;
ERROR: The %DO statement is not valid in open code.
856
857 %if %sysfunc(fileexist("C:\DandS\Mydoc\RawData\&&name&i..dat")) = 1
ERROR: The %IF statement is not valid in open code.
858 %then %do;
NOTE: PROCEDURE EXPORT used (Total process time):
real time 0.00 seconds
cpu time 0.00 seconds

NOTE: The SAS System stopped processing this step because of errors.

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

sbb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:12:24 GMT

You have SAS macro code %DO/%END that is not contained in a defined macro, which is required.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

SASâ Macro Programming for Beginners
Susan J. Slaughter, Avocet Solutions, Davis, CA
Lora D. Delwiche, Delwiche Consulting, Winters, CA
http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi29/243-29.pdf

Using PROC SQL with the SAS Macro Facility
http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/sqlproc/62086/HTML/default/a001360983.htm

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

deleted_user — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:46:28 GMT

Thank you, I got it

Re: create macro variables for list of observations

deleted_user — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:18:52 GMT

This work can be also done with the SYMPUT CALL in a data step:

data have;
input var1 $ @@;
cards;
a b c d e f g
;

data _null_;
set have;
call symput ("name"||strip(_n_),var1);
run;

%put _global_;

Yuewei