Error: Variable has been defined as both character and numeric

[jen123]

Here is my code:

data libname.file_combined;

set libname.file_a

libname.file_b;

run;

I tried to merge two files and got this error:

ERROR:  Variable X has been defined as both character and numeric.

ERROR:  Variable Y has been defined as both character and numeric.

ERROR:  Variable Z has been defined as both character and numeric.

Variables X, Y and Z has cells that are either numeric or alpha-numeric.  So my assumption is that I have to convert them to character.  I ran this code I got an error:  EXPECTING a FORMAT NAME.  It looks like SAS doesn't like the 5.

data file_a (drop=a_variablex);

set file_a (rename=(variablex=a_variablex));

variablex=input(a_variablex,5);

run;

Any advice/help is appreciated!

Thanks!

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

When using a Format you need to have a period at the end.

Try

variablex= input(a_variablex,f5.);

You may have done this already, but it may be a good idea to run Proc Compare to see which data set has the numeric and which has the character versions of the variables in question.

[jen123]

I did a PROC COMPARE:  file_a = $5. (character) and file_b=BEST 12. (num)

I ran this code and still got the same error (Variable has been definted as both character and numeric).

data file_b (drop=a_variablex);

set file_b (rename=(variablex=a_variablex));

variablex=input(a_variablex,$5.);

run;

Thoughts???

[ballardw]

I would confirm that variablex is now a character variable. I suspect not. If not, try using variablex = put(a_variablex,f5.);