Data Step By Statement Sorting Failure

[KaiBasch]

Dear experts,

I'm trying to sort a column which has records like 'AA0276', 'A2B5Q', 'AB8ER', ...

After I sort the data, I'm running a data step and use the sorted column in a by statement.

The data step returns a ERROR which indicates that the by variable couldn't sorted for the values like 'AA0276' which have two consequent character values.

ERROR: Error: BY variables are not properly sorted.

How can I fix this problem?

[PeterClemmensen]

If SAS says that your data is not sorted by that variable, it is not.

Post some sample data and your code.

[KaiBasch]

Yes, that's obvious from the log but if you read my 2nd sentence you would see that I've sorted the data (using Proc Sort), it is sorted.

[Astounding]

You'll have to post the log.  I can think of several possibilities, but I'm not about to explain them all in detail just in case one of them matches the situation you are encountering.

[Reeza]

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@KaiBasch wrote:

Yes, that's obvious from the log but if you read my 2nd sentence you would see that I've sorted the data (using Proc Sort), it is sorted.

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Post your full code and log. Obviously SAS doesn't think the data set is sorted for some reason.