Convert character to numeric

[Barkamih]

Hi 

Calving_ease
1 
2
3
1
1
2
NA
2
NA
5
2
4
NA
NA
1
2
2
1

I would like to convert this variable records(CHARACTERS) to missing data instead of NA.  as well as I want to keep the same variable name(Calving_ease) in my original dataset (MFD4)

Regards 

[novinosrin]

if anyalpha(calving_ease)>0 then call missing(calving_ease);

[Barkamih]

this code has deleted the numeric numbers as well !! 

[novinosrin · Accepted solution]

No it hasn't in the sample you provided, below is my test and log

data have;
input Calving_ease $;
datalines;
1 
2
3
1
1
2
NA
2
NA
5
2
4
NA
NA
1
2
2
1
;

data want;
set have;
if anyalpha(calving_ease)>0 then call missing(calving_ease);
run;

436
437 data have;
438 input Calving_ease $;
439 datalines;

NOTE: The data set WORK.HAVE has 18 observations and 1 variables.
NOTE: DATA statement used (Total process time):
real time 0.02 seconds
cpu time 0.01 seconds

458 ;
459
460 data want;
461 set have;
462 if anyalpha(calving_ease) then call missing(calving_ease);
463 run;

NOTE: There were 18 observations read from the data set WORK.HAVE.
NOTE: The data set WORK.WANT has 18 observations and 1 variables.
NOTE: DATA statement used (Total process time):
real time 0.02 seconds
cpu time 0.00 seconds

[LinusH]

Just input(), invalid numerical data will be missing automatically.

[novinosrin]

I agree with @LinusH however you may need to add a ?? modifier to prevent sas from writing NOTE: Invalid data for Calving_ease in line . messages in the log

[ballardw]

---

@novinosrin wrote:

I agree with @LinusH however you may need to add a ?? modifier to prevent sas from writing NOTE: Invalid data for Calving_ease in line . messages in the log

---

Or use a custom informat to assign a special missing for the N/A values. That way you know  the source of the data was specifically marked N/A.

[Astounding]

To keep the same name, you have to add a little tap dancing:

data want;

set have;

tempvar = input(calving_ease, ??8.);

drop calving_ease;

rename tempvar = calving_ease;

run;

[novinosrin]

Compress seems to work too:)

data have;
input Calving_ease $;
datalines;
1 
2
3
1
1
2
NA
2
NA
5
2
4
NA
NA
1
2
2
1
;
data want;
set have;
calving_ease=compress(calving_ease,,'kd');
run;