How to convert character(numbers/alphabets) to numeric?

[ScottBass · Accepted solution]

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@Kalai2008 wrote:

Trying to convert the Character variable to Numeric using INPUT function,but getting error  NOTE: Invalid argument to function INPUT

OLD_Variable :

10202008AB_RANK00325---(Proc contents : Type: Char . Len:100 Format $100. Informat $100.

data test;

set test1;

new_var=input(old_variable, $25.);

run;

Output : new_var is still in character format.

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We're all guessing here...and you still don't have an answer.

So....

Your old character variable is:  OLD_Variable = '10202008AB_RANK00325---'

Post EXACTLY what you want the NEW_Variable to be.  IOW, NEW_Variable = ???

Once we have your OLD_Variable ("have") and NEW_Variable ("want"), we can tell you if that is possible.

But if you think a numeric variable can contain letters, you need to hit the docs.

P.S.:  Some general rules re: put/input/formats/informats:

The put function always returns character output, accepts either a numeric or character input, accepts either a numeric or character format, the type of format should match the type of input.

The input function always takes a character input, returns either a numeric or character output, accepts either a numeric or character informat, the type of informat should match the type of output.

Anything else will result in implicit type conversion or an error.

So:

new_var=input(old_variable, $25.);

has a character informat, so will return a character result.