How to adjust current folder when clicking on SAS dataset to open SAS

[jason_253]

Hi,

I am wondering whether it is possible to configure my SAS in a way that allows me to double click on a SAS dataset while SAS is closed and get the same current folder (once SAS starts up) as I get when I start SAS by clicking on the icon in my start menu? The latter current folder location is better because that is where my autoexec file is located. Some SAS datasets I work with require specific SAS formats in order to view the contents, and the autoexec file tells SAS where those correct Format Catalogs are located on our network. Otherwise,, I get an error message saying the table cannot be opened.

Thanks,

Jason

[Reeza]

You probably want to add some automatic libraries or working folder via the configuration file (cfg file). 

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@jason_253 wrote:

Hi,

I am wondering whether it is possible to configure my SAS in a way that allows me to double click on a SAS dataset while SAS is closed and get the same current folder (once SAS starts up) as I get when I start SAS by clicking on the icon in my start menu? The latter current folder location is better because that is where my autoexec file is located. Some SAS datasets I work with require specific SAS formats in order to view the contents, and the autoexec file tells SAS where those correct Format Catalogs are located on our network. Otherwise,, I get an error message saying the table cannot be opened.

Thanks,

Jason

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[jason_253]

OK, thanks for the response. I'll check that out.

[AndrewHowell]

Jason,

• What is your "SAS" - PC/SAS on a Windows workstation (presumably), Enterprise Guide, SAS/Studio, SAS University Edition, other? And what version?
• You want the SAS current folder (SASINITIALFOLDER option?) to be set to the folder containing the data set you double-click on. Or is that the default behaviour after a double-click but you want to override that?

AUTOEXEC defaults first to the current working folder, then the %PATH%, so you can probably "force" a preferred AUTOEXEC by adding to your PATH environment variable.

Useful links:

• Usage Note 19244: Where SAS® software searches for an AUTOEXEC.SAS file on Microsoft Windows operati...
• Files Used by SAS - SAS 9.4 Companion for Windows, Fifth Edition

Some good forum presentations:

• Paper 1199-2017: Using SASv9.cfg, autoexec.sas, SAS Registry, and Options to Set Up Base SAS. Peter ...
• Paper 063-2007: Customizing Your SAS Initialization. George J. Hurley, The Procter and Gamble Compan...

[jason_253]

I'm pretty certain I'm using PC/SAS on a Windows workstation, version 9.4. 

Yes, it seems like I need a way to override the default behavior after I double click on a file as a means of opening SAS (or starting a session). I am confused as to why the current folder assignment varies depending on how I start up the program. If I start SAS by clicking the icon in my Start menu, the current folder is my C:\Users\JCarr folder (which contains my autoexec file). If I start SAS by double clicking a SAS dataset file sitting one of our network servers, the current folder becomes C:\windows\system32.

I'll take a look at those reference documents. Thanks for the help!

Jason