How do I automate dates

[MagD]

Good morning,

Please help me with automating dates in my code. I currently have the following code which I have to change every month:

/*need to update at the beginning of the month*/
%let nin_TM = 01MAR2022;
%let nin_LM = 01FEB2022;
%let nin_LY = 01MAR2021;

Please help me with automating the dates in the above so that I don't need to manually change the dates every month. 

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

Maxim 28: Macro Variables Need No Formats.

By using raw values, you can use your dates without having to add quotes and the trailing d everywhere you put them in code.

(Exception: when macro variables are used in human-readable output, like titles etc).

So see this code:

%let nin_TM = %sysfunc(intnx(month,%sysfunc(today()),0,b));
%let nin_LM = %sysfunc(intnx(month,&nin_tm.,-1,b));
%let nin_LY = %sysfunc(intnx(year,&nin_tm.,-1,s));

You can display the formatted values (for control) like this:

data _null_;
nin_tm = &nin_tm.;
nin_lm = &nin_lm.;
nin_ly = &nin_ly.;
format nin: date9.;
put nin_tm= nin_lm= nin_ly=;
run;

[MagD]

Thank you so much @Kurt_Bremser, your solution worked!

Thank you so much!