Create a new character variable!

[sukumark]

In below example, I would like to create a new character variable and with the attributes of second variable(FMTNAME)!! Resulting variable is RESULT_C.

RESULT_N       FMTNAME

5                       best.

5                         z5.

5                     dollar5.2

RESULT_C

5

00005

$5.00

Thanks in Advance,

Sukumar

[RichardinOz · Accepted solution]

Use the PUTN() function

Data want ;

     set have ;

     result_C = PUTN (result_N, fmtname) ;

Run ;

(Untested)

Richard

[RichardinOz]

You will probably also need a Length statement:

Data want ;

     set have ;

     Length result_C $ 5 ;

     result_C = PUTN (result_N, fmtname) ;

     keep result_C ;

Run ;

(Untested)

Richard

[RW9]

Just to note RichardinOz, best. will return 8 characters but default so will be truncated by the $5.  Pop a strip() around the putn, or increase the with to $10.

[sukumark]

Thank you for the answer! Is there any conventional method other than PUTN() ?

[RichardinOz]

The PUT functions PUT(), PUTN(), and PUTC(), are the SAS conventional methods for recasting or recoding values.  PUTN() and PUTC() (for character values) allow the format to be provided dynamically, as you require in this case.

@RW9's amendment , or the use of the LEFT() function, is required if you use the modified version I supplied.

Richard