Evaluating a macro variable string that contains variable names

[HoaTruong]

Hi,

I would be very grateful if someone could please help me with the following query.  I have a macro variable that contains a string, but the expression contains variable names.  In the example below, the macro variable contains an expression that refers to variables 'a' and 'b'.  The dataset 'testdata' contains these variables.  I would like to know how to set 'c' to be the numeric result of evaluating the macro variable 'test', so should equal 3.

%Let test = "a+b";

Data testdata;

   a=1;

   b=2;

       c=???;

Run;

Many thanks,

Hoa

[Reeza]

Remove quotes from the %let statement. 

Replace ??? In datastep with &c. 

At its basics consider macro variables as a Find/Replace algorithm. The result needs to be valid SAS code. 

[avinashns · Accepted solution]

%Let test = a+b;

Data testdata;
	a=1;
	b=2;
	c=&test.;
Run;

[HoaTruong]

Thank you very much! I forgot I had the quotes in the macro expression - too much staring at code..! 😃