How do I create a new variable with the assigned number to different observations

[LarissaW]

Hi guys,

I have a categorical variable which contains multiple observations, for example, "A29.3" "C22.4" "E38.1" and "C43.6"... I want to create a new variable and assign them with the number. If I want "A29.3" "C22.4" "E38.1" all to be 1 in the new column, what should I do?

I tried the code below, but when I use proc freq to check, I think SAS only transfers the last statement to 1 in the new column.

data CE;
set CE;
if final_cause="A29.3" then status=1;

if final_cause="C22.4" then status=1;

if final_cause="E38.1" then status=1;

else status=0;
run;

Any idea on this? Thanks!

[PaigeMiller]

---

@LarissaW wrote:

Hi guys,

I have a categorical variable which contains multiple observations, for example, "A29.3" "C22.4" "E38.1" and "C43.6"... I want to create a new variable and assign them with the number. If I want "A29.3" "C22.4" "E38.1" all to be 1 in the new column, what should I do?

I tried the code below, but when I use proc freq to check, I think SAS only transfers the last statement to 1 in the new column.

data CE;
set CE;
if final_cause="A29.3" then status=1;

if final_cause="C22.4" then status=1;

if final_cause="E38.1" then status=1;

else status=0;
run;

Any idea on this? Thanks!

---

I'm not sure I grasp the desired output. Saying something does not work does not really indicate what you do want. Please show us the desired output.

Also, I note this is generally considered a sub-optimal practice to overwrite your data set CE with a new data set (although I guess there are times when its not so bad). Better would be

data ce1;
    set ce;

[Tom]

You ran three distinct IF/THEN/ELSE blocks.  So only the results of the last one will survive.

Either make it one long IF/THEN/ELSE IF.... ELSE series

if final_cause="A29.3" then status=1;
else if final_cause="C22.4" then status=1;
else if final_cause="E38.1" then status=1;
else status=0;

Of just use the IN operator so you only need one IF condition.

if final_cause in ("A29.3" "C22.4" "E38.1") then status=1;
else status=0;