Creating SAS dataset with UTF-16 encoding format

[sasikala]

Hi Experts,

 Will SAS 9.4 support to create a dataset in UTF-16 encoding format.

 Could you please tell ,is there anyway to create dataset in UTF-16 format.

Thanks,
Sasikala.

[Tom]

You can set an encoding option on an individual dataset.  I don't think you can use UTF-16 as an encoding on a dataset but you can use it on a text file. See this note: https://support.sas.com/kb/16/355.html

For a dataset you could use UTF-8 encoding. (Make sure your character fields are long enough incase some values take more bytes in UTF-8).

data test(encoding='utf8'); set sashelp.class; run;

But to really process UTF-16 data the whole SAS session needs to be using ENCODING=UTF8 setting (or using double byte character sets). Such settings needs to be set when you start SAS itself.  Most installations of SAS will include a way for you to run a UTF-8 (aka UNICODE) session.  For example on my PC I have "icons" for starting SAS with single byte encoding and with unicode support (UTF-8).  And for SAS/Studio and Enterprise Guide there are separate SAS servers that I can connect to with UTF-8 encoding.

[sasikala]

Thanks Tom