How do I convert character time to numeric time?

[Amber_Nicole94]

I have a data set with multiple time variables.

Time Variables: GCO Time, AVB Time, Event Time, etc.

Times: 0800 1200 0300 etc.

When I input my data set it inputs those variables as character functions. However, I am going to need to add and subtract the times, so character format will not work. I have tried to change the format when the dataset inputs to a time format, however I recieve an error when I do it that way. This should be an easy fix, just cant seem to find the solution.

I am using SAS Enterprise Guide 5.1

[RW9 · Accepted solution]

You can't format a column as time format if its character as time and date are numeric.  To do it your way you would need to create a new numeric variable with the time5. format and input() the data into that:

data want;
  set have;
  new_time=input(cats(char_time,"00"),hhmmss.);
  format new_time time5.;
run;

Although I would first check how your getting the data in, is it some sort of import?  If so is it from Excel maybe?  

[PaigeMiller]

Or even simpler:

	new_time=input(char_time,hhmmss4.);

[Amber_Nicole94]

input(cats(char_time,"00"),hhmmss.) worked perfectly!

Thank you!

[kbelang1]

Hi, why did you use "00" and why wont it work with any other time format such as HHMM.? Thanks!

[RW9]

Please don't re-open old questions with new questions.  I add 00 so that the string is the correct format for the format I am using.  In the format the length is default 6, so 2 char for hour, and for min, and for sec.  As the data only has 4, 2 for hour, 2 for min, then I added 2 for second.  See @PaigeMiller's response on how to  shorten the length so that adding seconds is not needed.

[PeterClemmensen]

data have;
input GCO$ AVB$ Event$;
datalines;
0800 1200 0300
;

data want;
	set have;
	num_GCO = input(GCO,hhmmss4.);
	num_AVB = input(AVB,hhmmss4.);
	num_Event = input(Event,hhmmss4.);
	format num: time.;
run;