Renaming Column during Proc Import

[Pritish]

Hi,

I am having a big dataset with more than 50+ columns in Excel format. Column names are perfect but bit complicated so I thought of renaming the column name.

Can we rename column during the Proc Import procedure. Or do I need to create new dataset and use rename keyword ?

Please let me know and thanks in advance.

[DataShare]

Check this

proc import
datafile="&ExcelFile"
out=ExcelDataSet ( rename=Col1=ColumnOne)
dbms=EXCEL;
DBSASLABEL=NO;
run;

[Pritish]

Hi,

I tried to use the code you provided. But it seems that there is no keyword DBSASLABEL in SAS. Are you refering to the keyword GetNames ?

[DataShare]

Are you trying this with DBMS=EXCEL ?

[Patrick]

Even though I like coding a lot I would use Enterprise Guide for such a task (if it's a once off job).

The import wizard creates all the code you need and you can also change column names and attributes in one of the steps (think it's step 3).

HTH
Patrick

[LittlesasMaster]

you can simply use rename option , check this

proc import datafile="&file"
out=want(rename=(col11=new_var col22=new_var2))
dbms=xlsx replace;
getnames=yes;
run;

[MikeFranz]

So it seems like by using the "GETNAMES = YES" option, I was forcing SAS to create silly names that I was unable to reference. I was being silly, an easy work around was to change GETNAMES to NO, and then just rename the columns manually (there were only 26 columns, so it wasn't too bad.

Many thanks to everyone for their input.

Mike

[CraigM · Accepted solution]

You can do this inline with the PROC IMPORT statement if you would like to.

On the OUT line:

  OUT=Library.Name (rename=VAR1=Column1 rename=VAR2=Column2 ... rename=VAR(N)=Column(N))

This has changed apparently from Col1 in the past to VAR1 currenlty in SAS 9.4.