Extract text between 2 text (":" and "-")

[hhchenfx]

Hi Everyone,

I want to extract text in between 2 character ":" and "-" 

as below:

For "82 : B2310 - I&g9ST LOE, - Project /Task Lead-"  the new variable will be B2310 

The could be multiple "-" but only the first "-" matter.

The output file should be below:

B2310
B2310
B2330
B2350

Thank you,

HC

data want;
    set test;
    where_colon=find(answer,':');
    where_hyphen=find(answer,'-');

    desired_output1= strip(substr(answer,where_colon+1,where_colon+4));
    desired_output2= strip(substr(answer,where_colon+1,where_hyphen-where_colon-1));
run;

DATA test;
  INFILE DATALINES DELIMITER=',' DSD;
  INPUT answer & $50.;
  DATALINES;
"82 : B2310 - I&g9ST LOE, Project /Task Lead-"
"83 : B2310 - I&fgST LOE, Quality /IV&V Manager-"
"84 : B2330 - I&fgST LOE,  Expert 2-"
"85 : B2350 - I&ST LOE,  Expert 3-"
;
  RUN;

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

UNTESTED CODE

data want;
    set test;
    where_colon=find(answer,':');
    where_hyphen=find(answer,'-');
    desired_output= strip(substr(answer,where_colon+1,where_hypen-where_colon));
run;

[Reeza]

Use the SCAN() function and the third parameter allows you to set multiple custom delimiters.

  want = scan(answer, 2, ":-");

[hhchenfx]

Thanks a lot!!!

HC

[PaigeMiller]

---

@Reeza wrote:

Use the SCAN() function and the third parameter allows you to set multiple custom delimiters.

  want = scan(answer, 2, ":-");

---

I like it. Easier than my solution.