converter numeric variable to character bigger than 30

[michtka]

Hi all, in order to convert a numeric variable to character WITH LENGTH=30 I use the function PUT:

VARC=PUT(VARN,30.);

but my problem appears when I try to convert a variable with length=40, or bigger:

VARC=PUT(VARN,50.);...it gives me an error of width

any help?

Thanks in advance,

V.

[Astounding]

You have to realize that your data values are probably incorrect.  SAS does not accurately store numbers beyond 15 or 16 significant digits.  Here is a program you can run to illustrate:

data _null_;

x=12345678901234567890;

put x 20.;

run;

With that in mind, is your original question something that you need to solve or do you need to rethink an earlier part of the process?

[michtka]

***It is fine;

data new;
varn=3;
varc=compress(put(varn,30.));
run;

***It is not;

data new2;
varn=3;
varc=compress(put(varn,40.));
run;

ERROR 29-185: Width specified for format F is invalid.

Q is....How can obtain varc with LENGHT = 40 or superior.

I hope it is more clear now, Thanks.

[Astounding]

OK, this won't solve the problem if it turns out that your data values are already incorrect.  But it will convert them:

data want;

set have;

length varc $ 50;

varc = varn;

varc = left(varc);

run;

You can always omit the LEFT function if you prefer.  But don't combine into one statement.  You'll get scientific notation if you try:  varc = left(varn);

Good luck.

[michtka]

Thanks for that, but still not convince with your answer, sorry, my Q is , why can't do it with the PUT function, this my question . Thanks.

[michtka]

This is like I want to achieve, as you can see, I need the length superior to 30, because the lenght need to match to add this extraline with PROC APPEND

data new;
varn=3;
varc=compress(put(varn,30.));
run;

data new2;
varn=3;
varc=compress(put(varn,40.));
run;

data extra; length varc $30.;retain varc "Numbers of subjects living in the island of the Pacific Ocean" varn 0 ;run;  /* 30 is not enoguh */
proc append base=new data=extra;run;

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

Well, this would work:

data want;

set have;

length varc $ 50;

varc = right(put(varn, 15.));

run;

But the answer is that's the way SAS built the w.d format.  Maximum width is 32, per the documentation:

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/leforinforref/63324/HTML/default/viewer.htm#n1n7bmvs1brl...

[michtka]

Thanks