Dropping a variable from a SAS dataset

[JohnSAScom]

How do I drop a variable from a SAS dataset?

[Kurt_Bremser]

Use the drop statement or the drop dataset option. Documentation can be found by searching for "sas drop variable" on google.

[JohnSAScom]

Thanks Kurt.

[SuryaKiran · Accepted solution]

There are several way and depends on how you want it. You can use DROP= if you have only few variables to drop or KEEP= if there are more variables to drop and only few to keep. 

Here are some way:

/* Reads from the input, but doesn't output */
data class (drop=Name);
set sashelp.class;
run;

/* Doesn't read from the input, so it will not be in output */
data class ;
set sashelp.class(drop=Name);
run;

/* You can also use drop in Proc SQL */
proc sql;
create table class(drop=Name) as
select *
	from sashelp.class;
quit;
/* Similar to above */
proc sql;
create table class as
select Sex,Age,Height,Weight /* Name variable is dropped */
	from sashelp.class;
quit;

/* You Can also alter table */
proc sql;
create table class as
select *
	from sashelp.class;
quit;
proc sql;
alter table work.class
drop name;
quit;

[JohnSAScom]

Thanks Surya.