how to change a date format correctly?

[PierreYvesILY]

dear SAS experts,

I have very ofter the same problem: I need to change the format of a date for another, and it is always sourec of many dificulties.

I want to change the following : 07MAR1996:00:00:00 (format is DATETIME20.)

into : 07.03.1996  (format : ddmmyyp10.)

how should I proceed?

thanks in advance,

regards

[ed_sas_member]

Dear @PierreYvesILY ,

You can do it in a data step or in a proc datasets

data mytable;
	set mytable;
	format date ddmmyyp10.; /* specify the variable name and the desired format*/
run;

or

proc datasets library=work;
	modify mytable ;
	format date ddmmyyp10.; /* specify the variable name and the desired format*/
quit;

[PierreYvesILY]

I already tried the first solution, and it doesn't work, thus my question.

I guess the problem comes from the 0:00:00 after the date. The problem seems to convert the datetime into a date, then applying the format is easy.

[ed_sas_member · Accepted solution]

I suggest that you try the datepart() function as follows :

data have;
	input date DATETIME20.;
	format date DATETIME20.;
	cards;
07MAR1996:00:00:00
	;
run;

data want;
	set have;
	format date2 ddmmyyp10.;
	date2 = datepart(date);
run;	

 Hope this help !

[PierreYvesILY]

Thank you, I got the desired answer.

[ed_sas_member]

Awesome !

Have a great day.

Best,