Assign a macro variable inside a macro.

[deleted_user]

What is wrong with this stupid example:

%macro test;
%let x=10;
%mend;

%test;
%put &x;

In the log I get (after the code listing):

WARNING: Apparent symbolic reference X not resolved
&x

I expected to get the value 10.

Don't ask me why I want to assign a macro variable inside a macro.

[LinusH]

Assigning av macro variable inside a macro creates a variable that is local to the macro.
To be able to refer to it outside the macro you need to add a %global before the assignment.

/Linus

[sbb]

Some useful reading from the SAS support http://support.sas.com/ website for you to consider.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.


SAS Macro Language: Reference - Scopes of Macro Variables
http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/mcrolref/61885/HTML/default/a002047080.htm

[sbb]

** SAS forum burp - duplicate removed **

[Paige]

If you move the %put statement inside the macro, everything works.

Another responder has explained how %global also fixed the problem, but I would recommend instead of %global, you do all macro commands involving your macro variables INSIDE the macro.

[PatrickG]

Exactly. And there are some good examples of how it works in the doc link that Scott posted, above.