if then else if creates variable even if not true

[rodrigobarg]

Hi,

I have the following example code:

Data example;

set source_data;

    if (VTYPE(&macro1.) eq 'C' and VTYPE(&macro2.) eq 'N' then do;

        d1 = variable1;

    end;

    else if (VTYPE(&macro1.) eq 'N' and VTYPE(&macro2.) eq 'C' then do;

        d2 = variable1;

    end;

    else do;

        d3 = variable1;

    end;

run;

But the output table has three new columns, d1, d2, d3, with the right one filled with data, and the other two empty. Why is SAS running things even if the if statement is false? E.g. if macro1 is C and macro2 is N, it outputs d1 correctly, but it also adds two empty columns d2 and d3. Since this is happening, I can't use input inside an if-statement, because if the variable is not char, it will throw an error. Can somebody help me?

Thanks!

[data_null__]

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@rodrigobarg wrote:

Hi,

I have the following example code:

Data example;

set source_data;

    if (VTYPE(&macro1.) eq 'C' and VTYPE(&macro2.) eq 'N' then do;

        d1 = variable1;

    end;

    else if (VTYPE(&macro1.) eq 'N' and VTYPE(&macro2.) eq 'C' then do;

        d2 = variable1;

    end;

    else do;

        d3 = variable1;

    end;

run;

But the output table has three new columns, d1, d2, d3, with the right one filled with data, and the other two empty. Why is SAS running things even if the if statement is false? E.g. if macro1 is C and macro2 is N, it outputs d1 correctly, but it also adds two empty columns d2 and d3. Since this is happening, I can't use input inside an if-statement, because if the variable is not char, it will throw an error. Can somebody help me?

Thanks!

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You cannot create or conditionally create a variable after a data step starts to execute.  You will need to use macro language or other technique to accomplish your task.

If you show a more complete example of your problem with example data someone will be able to help you get what you need.