Formatting Variables

[cjohnson]

I have a simple data step to export a data set to a text file.

DATA _NULL_ ;
FILE "filename" DSD DLM='~' ;
SET table;
PUT (_ALL_)(:) ;
RUN;

However, I need to change the format of all date variables. Is there any way to do this other than formatting each variable? I have a hundred or so tables, each with many date variables.

Thanks,
Chris

[data_null__]

It depends on how you can identify the variables that need to be "reformatted".

If they have names that begin with DT then you can write

[pre]format DT: mmddyy10.;[/pre]

or you might use SQL and create a list of names base on current format and change the format that way.

[pre]
proc sql;
select name into :datevars separated by ' '
from dictionary.columns
where libname et '....' and memname eq '....' and format eqt 'date';
quit;

....
format &datevar mmddyy10.;
....
[/pre]

You will need to lookup the details with regards to dictionary.columns