Extract First 5 Characters of String Variable with Varying Lengths

[sstac]

I have a zip code variable in a dataset that includes both 5- and 9-digit zip codes. I want all of them to be 5-digits but am having trouble extracting the first 5 digits of the variable. It is an extensive list, but some examples are 15009, 15208, 191451652, 193760024.

When I try to use substr,

data cases; set cases;

zip=substr(zip_char,1,5);

run;

it seems to truncate the zip codes that are already 5 characters long to "1". Any thoughts on how to avoid this?

[LinusH]

Perhaps your zip_char is right aligned.
Try to do left() prior to substr().

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

This would happen if ZIP_CHAR is not left-hand justified.  Luckily, it's easy to left-hand justify:

length zip $ 5;

zip = left(zip_char);

SUBSTR isn't really needed, once you have assigned a length to the new variable.

[Kurt_Bremser]

If zip_char has leading blanks this might be the cause. Use the strip() function to get rid of blanks before applying substr().