Format a string 2015-07-20 07:59 so that to be able to work with time series

[Yuliya]

Hi everyone,

First, I would like to wish everyone Happy Easter and thank you for your help.

Now, the question: I have a dataset from insulin's pumpa when a patient measures blood suger at very different time periods. Thus, for a TIME variable I have a string which looks like this  2015-07-20 07:59. 

I wonder how I can format this string to be able to work with time series?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Regards,

Yuliya

[Reeza]

You need to convert your string to a SAS date for starters, the INPUT function can do this. Depending on your data it may also be possible to change it earlier, ie if you are reading it from a text file its worth fixing it in that stage. 

Date_var = input(string_var, anydtdtm.);
Format date_var datetime21.;

[Yuliya]

Hi Reeza,

thank you very much for your reply. Actually, I used your advice and change the format beforehand, now it is ok. But it is useful to know how INPUT works as well, I have never used it before, thank you.

Now I have other questions but I will post them under other title.

Have a nice day.

Regards,

Yuliya