using Call symputx in a macro function

[alepage]

Hello,

Is it possible to make a call symputx in a macro function without using a data step as below?

%macro test;

%global Gflag;

Data _null_;

call symputx('Gflag',0);

stop;

run;

%mend test;

%test;

%put &Gflag;

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

As far as I know, call symputx can only be run in data step. 

Perhaps if you could explain what you are doing and why you think you need it outside a data step, we could come up with a simple solution.

[alepage]

I just need to do a call symputx in a macro function and I wonder if there is another way to make that call outside of a data step to avoid those extra lines of code.

Data _NULL_;

...

Stop;

run;

just a curiosity!

[PaigeMiller]

There are other way to assign values to macro variables, if you are outside a data step. The two that come to mind are PROC SQL and %LET. Wouldn't one of those work for you?

[RW9]

If you need global scope then:

call symput('mvar',0,'g');

The g means set as global.  However that being said its really not a good idea to be setting gloabl macro variables inside a macro - scoping, encapsulation etc.