If then else with two date variables

[bohonghong]

Hi, the data have 2 date variables and I wanted to create third one called PPC_closing

data final3;
set final2;
if whichone='decemberppc' then PPC_closing = PPC_CLOSING_EFF_DATE1;
else PPC_closing = PPC_CLOSING_EFF_DATE;
run;

but the result still showing numbers and missing values.

How to make it original date?

[Reeza]

Post some sample data?

Is your IF condition not working? If so, check and make sure the case of the word matches exactly.

[bohonghong]

the If is working but the new variable showing 20441 but I need to original date

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

How does SAS store dates? 

Apply a format, 

format new_var date9.;

[Kurt_Bremser]

If you want PPC_closing to appear as a date, you need to assign it a proper date format (FORMAT statement).