ERROR: The value '_RANK_ A1'n is not a valid SAS name.

[dcortell]

 In the below code I get as error the one declared in the title. Due to the fact that the option validvarname=any is used, I would expect that the space in the variable should not cause an error in the proc freq ouput. Please, share what I'm missing

%do j=1 %to &nclass;

options validvarname=any;

proc freq data=&train noprint;
tables &var / out="_&var2.&j"n (drop=count) missing;
where &target=&j;
run;

%end j;

MPRINT(NB): proc freq data=move.language_det_train noprint; 
SYMBOLGEN: Macro variable VAR resolves to "rank_ a"n SYMBOLGEN: Macro variable VAR2 resolves to rank_ a 
SYMBOLGEN: Macro variable J resolves to 1 
ERROR: The value '_RANK_ A1'n is not a valid SAS na 

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

Why do you want a blank in a dataset name? Just remove it from &var2, and you can also remove the ".."n for the dataset name. It will REALLY make your future work easier.

If you insist on making your life miserable, use

options validmemname=extend;

[Reeza]

Check what the variable name actually is in PROC CONTENTS and use that?
Or use the EXTEND option as indicated by @Kurt_Bremser.