Extract a specific row and column from dataset and assign to a global varriable

[amit7urmc]

Hello!

How do I access a specific row and column from a dataset and save it to a global variable for later use? for example from sashelp.cars dataset how do I get first row value for 'Make' column?

%macro ExtractACell(rownum=1, VarName='Make');
	data work.TempDelete;
		set sashelp.cars;
		if _n_ = &rownum then
			do;
				%global MyVar;
				MyVar = ????? *Code to get the Make value from the first row and save to MyVar
			end;
	run;
%mend ExtractACell;

%put &MyVar *<-- Is this correct

[yabwon · Accepted solution]

Hi,

you can do it for example like that:

%macro ExtractACell(rownum=1, VarName=Make);
	data _null_;
		set sashelp.cars(obs=&rownum. firstobs=&rownum. keep = &VarName.);	
		call symputx('MyVar', &VarName., "G");
        stop;
	run;
%mend ExtractACell;

%ExtractACell(rownum=7, VarName=Model)

%put &MyVar.;

Bart

[amit7urmc]

Thank you. 

[Reeza]

You’re missing the CALL SYMPUTX() to create the macro variable. YOu may want to also use the FIRSTOBS and OBS data set options to read only a single line.

data _null_;

set sashelp.cars(obs=&rownum firstobs=&rownum);

call symputx(‘myVar’, &varName, ‘g’);

run;

%put &myVar;

[amit7urmc]

Thank you.