topic How to add quotes to a macro argument that is used in PROC SQL WHERE clause. in SAS Procedures

How to add quotes to a macro argument that is used in PROC SQL WHERE clause.

bgatch — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 00:28:41 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I have a macro that I am using to run some PROC SQL code. I am using the macro's input both in creating the output table name and in the SQL's WHERE clause. When I run the macro, I don't put quotes around the input string because that would not work when creating the table name. However, I need the input string to have quotes around it for the WHERE clause.

Here is an example of the situation below. I've searched around a bunch for solutions to this and none of them seem to be working. I'm still relatively new to SAS, so I really appreciate anyone's advice on this, or if you have a link to a similar solution that would work.

%macro test_example (subject_name);
PROC SQL;
CREATE TABLE WORK.Report_&subject_name. AS

SELECT *
FROM LIB.TABLE_NAME
WHERE FIELD1 = &subject_name.  /*Tried this.*/
WHERE FIELD1 = CAT("'", &subject_name., "'")  /*Tried this too.*/
WHERE FIELD1 = "'"||&subject_name.||"'"  /*Tried this as well.*/
;
QUIT;
%mend;

%test_example(Item1);

I could just create a second input in the macro, one that has single quotes around the same input string repeated, but I feel like there must be a better, simpler solution than that. I am using SAS Enterprise Guide 7.15.

Thank you,

Ben

Re: How to add quotes to a macro argument that is used in PROC SQL WHERE clause.

novinosrin — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 02:02:42 GMT

did you try this

WHERE FIELD1 = "&subject_name"

Re: How to add quotes to a macro argument that is used in PROC SQL WHERE clause.

bgatch — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 02:55:09 GMT

Hello novinosrin, thank you so much!

That resolves correctly and works to pull the data! Appreciate your help!

Re: How to add quotes to a macro argument that is used in PROC SQL WHERE clause.

novinosrin — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 02:57:54 GMT

Welcome to the SAS forum and I'm glad issue has been resolved. May i request you to mark the solution and close the thread if you don't mind plz.