BookmarkSubscribeRSS Feed
🔒 This topic is solved and locked. Need further help from the community? Please sign in and ask a new question.
EarlyCode
Fluorite | Level 6

I have a report that has a time value in excel formatted to MM: SS. (01:32; 00:56, etc)

 

When imported, they import as a text string. I need to convert it into a value that can be used in calculations. I've tried a couple of different methods to convert the text string. (Including changing the string to HH:MM: SS format) But every method I've tried to use to convert it returns null value and the Invalid numeric data, Time='00:26' error.

 

Can someone help me with the correct method to convert a time text string to a value that can be used for calculations?

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
Astounding
PROC Star

If you don't mind a message about conversion on the log, you could shorten your equations to:

 

myTime = 60* input(myTimeString, 2.) + scan(myTimeString, 2, ':');

View solution in original post

6 REPLIES 6
PGStats
Opal | Level 21

myTime = input(myTimeString, time.);

PG
EarlyCode
Fluorite | Level 6
Returns numerical values, that aren't in time format. If a second Format myTime Time.; is run it will show it in a time format, but the seconds become minutes. So 00:08 becomes 480 which SAS reads as 0:08:00 instead of 0:00:08.

A work around I've just come up with is
min = input(substr(myTimeString,1,2),2.);
sec = input(substr(myTimeString,4,2),2.);
myTime = (min*60) + sec;
FORMAT myTime Time.;

Which does convert 00:08 to 0:00:08. But seems like a lot of extra steps that I'm not sure if it's needed.
PGStats
Opal | Level 21

myTime = input(myTimeString, time.);

format myTime time5,;

PG
EarlyCode
Fluorite | Level 6
Still converts seconds to minutes.
Astounding
PROC Star

If you don't mind a message about conversion on the log, you could shorten your equations to:

 

myTime = 60* input(myTimeString, 2.) + scan(myTimeString, 2, ':');

EarlyCode
Fluorite | Level 6
This works with fewer steps. Thank you,

sas-innovate-2024.png

Join us for SAS Innovate April 16-19 at the Aria in Las Vegas. Bring the team and save big with our group pricing for a limited time only.

Pre-conference courses and tutorials are filling up fast and are always a sellout. Register today to reserve your seat.

 

Register now!

How to Concatenate Values

Learn how use the CAT functions in SAS to join values from multiple variables into a single value.

Find more tutorials on the SAS Users YouTube channel.

Click image to register for webinarClick image to register for webinar

Classroom Training Available!

Select SAS Training centers are offering in-person courses. View upcoming courses for:

View all other training opportunities.

Discussion stats
  • 6 replies
  • 1151 views
  • 0 likes
  • 3 in conversation