BookmarkSubscribeRSS Feed
🔒 This topic is solved and locked. Need further help from the community? Please sign in and ask a new question.
sstac
Calcite | Level 5

I have a zip code variable in a dataset that includes both 5- and 9-digit zip codes. I want all of them to be 5-digits but am having trouble extracting the first 5 digits of the variable. It is an extensive list, but some examples are 15009, 15208, 191451652, 193760024.

 

When I try to use substr,

 

data cases; set cases;

zip=substr(zip_char,1,5);

run;

 

it seems to truncate the zip codes that are already 5 characters long to "1". Any thoughts on how to avoid this?

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
Astounding
PROC Star

This would happen if ZIP_CHAR is not left-hand justified.  Luckily, it's easy to left-hand justify:

 

length zip $ 5;

zip = left(zip_char);

 

SUBSTR isn't really needed, once you have assigned a length to the new variable.

View solution in original post

3 REPLIES 3
LinusH
Tourmaline | Level 20
Perhaps your zip_char is right aligned.
Try to do left() prior to substr().
Data never sleeps
Astounding
PROC Star

This would happen if ZIP_CHAR is not left-hand justified.  Luckily, it's easy to left-hand justify:

 

length zip $ 5;

zip = left(zip_char);

 

SUBSTR isn't really needed, once you have assigned a length to the new variable.

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
  • 3 replies
  • 72263 views
  • 2 likes
  • 4 in conversation