merge mix of tables

[MargoBlue]

Please could you explain what makes ':' after the name of the table?

[PeterClemmensen]

It simply means 'all the table names starting with cost2'...

See this small example

data cost1;
id = 1; x = 2;
run;

data cost2;
id = 1; y = 3;
run;

data cost3;
id = 1; y = 3;
run;

data want;
   merge cost:;
   by id;
run;

[Patrick · Accepted solution]

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@MargoBlue wrote:
Please could you explain what makes ':' after the name of the table? It merges tables cost1 cost3 cost4 and tables from cost33 to cost37?

merge cost1-cost4 cost2: cost33-37;

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It's just like a wildcard and will pick any table starting with name cost2 - i.e. cost212 cost2abc .....

Docu here.