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CurtisER
Obsidian | Level 7

Hello, I just wanted to be sure that I cannot use SAS variables in an IN operator in a Data Step?

 

Let's say that I have 3 SAS variables:

 

a = 'Mazda';
b = 'Kia';
c = 'Nissan';

if MAKE in (a, b, c);

 

I get a syntax error.

 

I know I can write as literals:

if MAKE in ('Mazda', 'Kia', 'Nissan');

I wanted to verify that using SAS variable is not possible in a DATA step.  Thanks.

2 REPLIES 2
Tom
Super User Tom
Super User

Two work arounds.

 

The IN operator works with an ARRAY reference.

array makes a b c;
if make in makes ;

Use the WHICHC() function.

if whichc(make,of a b c) ;
PaigeMiller
Diamond | Level 26

The error message does not mention that you can use a variable, so you can't use a variable.

--
Paige Miller

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