Formatted variable does not work in conditional statement

[lydiawawa]

Hi,

I created a format file that names the levels of categorical variables "workcode". The format value code is $workload.

Following is my code:

data df; 
     set df1;
     format workcode $workload30. ;
     if workcode = "Other" then delete ;
run;

Basically, I want to delete all other variables assigned by the format statement as "Other" in the separate format file. However, the datastep doesn't seem to recognize the condition statement right after format. No delete action was performed. Does anyone know what caused the issue?

Thanks!

[novinosrin]

Since We do not have a sample of your data, I am assuming this may help

data df; 
     set df1;

     new_workcode=put(workcode,$workload30.);
     *format workcode $workload30. ;
     if new_workcode= "Other" then delete ;
run;

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

Or

if  put(workcode,$workload30.) = "Other" then delete

Variables always maintain their value and that is used for comparisons. For formatted values you have to explicitly create the formatted value. Note that you may create a value that still doesn't compare as expected if the format includes leading spaces.

[lydiawawa]

Thank you! That is ingenious!