check the order of the variables

[Smitha9]

Hi,

I have a dataset which includes the variable names:

A B C D

the above dataset need to format once in a week.

Everyweek I have to check the order of the variables A B C D

If D comes first or the order changes I need to flag it. The order must be A B C D order.

Can I know the code for this.

thank you in advance.

-Smitha

[Smitha9]

Hi,

I have a variables list

A B C D

Everytime when I get the data and formatted. I need to check the order is correct. If D comes first then I need to flag it.

The code needs to check the order of the variables "A B C D"

how can I do that?

thank you in advance.

-Smitha

[PeterClemmensen]

Are A, B, C and D your variable names or your varaible values?

[Smitha9]

Variable names.

[RichardDeVen]

Can you explain what you are doing and why the variable order matters. Does the data set contain other variables ? If so, where should A,B,C,D be in relation to them ?

[Smitha9]

Hi,
this is an example I gave.
My dataset has around 4 variables.
Lets say if we have A B C D. This dataset gets new values everyweek and gets formatted everyweek. I need to check the order of the variable names are correct and if there is a problem with the order of the variable names I need to flag it.

thanks

[Kurt_Bremser]

How do you get your data?

[ballardw]

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@Smitha9 wrote:

Hi,

I have a dataset which includes the variable names:

A B C D

the above dataset need to format once in a week.

Everyweek I have to check the order of the variables A B C D

If D comes first or the order changes I need to flag it. The order must be A B C D order.

Can I know the code for this.

thank you in advance.

-Smitha

---

SAS data sets do not care about the order of variables generally. So why is this an issue?

And if your data source is changing the order that is the place to address things, before it gets to you.

Proc contents will tell you the column number of a variable.

[Ksharp]

proc contents data=sashelp.class varnum out=x noprint;
run;

Check Variable Name and Variable Number in dataset X .

Or try Dictionary.