convert text to numeric date function

[cho16]

I want to convert the datereturned field from text to number type ( to mmddyy10. Format). It has length $ 10. and format $10.I have tried the below SAS code and it doesn’t work.

Still it display as Text instead of number and values shows as .

 data want;

set have;

length _ datereturned $10.;

_datereturned =input(datereturned,mmddyy10.);

put _datereturned = date9.;

run;

Thanks in Advance

[Reeza]

You've declared the variable character in your length statement first.

length _ datereturned $10.;

Try removing that line and see what you get.

[cho16]

Hi Reeza,

It doesn't work.

Error message:

NOTE: Invalid argument to function INPUT at line 22 column 21.

WARNING: Limit set by ERRORS= option reached. Further errors of this type will not be printed.

[Reeza]

What does your field currently look like? Do you have missing?

Post the full log with the error message so that we can see what's causing the error.

[cho16]

Hi Reeza,

Yes the field has missing values

Attached the screen shot for your reference.

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

It's the missing that's generating the errors? check against the row number in log vs data.

and try the following:

input(datereturned, ?? mmddyy10.);

[Ksharp]

length _datereturned $10.;

Why do you define _datereturned as character variable, since you want it be numeric. 

Remove this statement.

[cho16]

Tried the below code and it worked well

data want (drop=LAST_SURVEY_DATE1);
set have;
format LAST_SURVEY_DATE mmddyy10.;
LAST_SURVEY_DATE = input(LAST_SURVEY_DATE1, ?? yymmdd10.);
run;

Thanks for all your responses.