Is it possible to use Tranwrd for more than 1 possible group of words?

[imdickson]

Hi, I am planning to replace a list of words with blank. For example, I would like to replace 'ABC' with '' and '(a)' with '' and many more.

However, i couldnt find any answer to it. Is there a special function that allows me to use for replacing a list of possible values with blank?

[Jagadishkatam]

Could you please provide sample data and expected output to get the answer

[Ksharp]

data _null_;
x='I am planning to replace a abclist of words with blank. abc';
y=prxchange('s/\b(abc|words|with)\b//i',-1,x);
put x= / y=;
run;

[imdickson]

Hi @Ksharp thanks for the code. I have a scenario where it is possible that the variable contains value such as '(a)' without the single quote and maybe '-' without single quote.

I tried to do this:

data _null_;

x='CB 123 (a) 456';
y=prxchange('s/\b(abc|CB |(a))\b//i',-1,x);
put x= / y=;
run;

However, it doesnt work as in the open and close bracket wont be eliminated. Further, how do i make sure the code eliminate dash as well?

[Ksharp]

OK. try this one .

data _null_;

x='CB 123 (a) 456';
y=prxchange('s/\babc\b|\bCB\b|\(a\)//i',-1,x);
put x= / y=;
run;

[imdickson]

Hi @Ksharp. i am not good in regular expression. If i plan to add more possible values to be excluded, is this how it should be done?

I want to add these into the regular expression:

1) (a)-<space>

2) #

3) <space>

4) PP

data _null_;

x='CB 123 (a) 456';
y=prxchange('s/\babc\b|\bCB\b|\(a\) |\#\|\bPP|\ \|\(a\)//i',-1,x);
put x= / y=;
run;

Instead of using this method, can i also use this?

%let y1=CB ;

%let y2=PP;

%let y3=(a);

%do i=1 to 3

y=tranwrd(x,&&y&i..,'');

%end;

It may sound very "beginner" and too MANUAL, but this is the easiest way that i can think of. I have also come across a do loop from other threads but i just couldnt make it work.

The code as below:

data want;

   set have;

   n_name = o_name;

   length word $27 ;

   do word='JR', 'SR', 'III', 'IV', 'DECD' ;

      n_name = tranwrd(' '||n_name, ' '||strip(word)||' ', ' ');

  end;

   n_name = compbl(n_name);

   drop word ;

run;

I replace JR with PP and SR with CB<space>

I assume n_name is my original variables

I think it didnt replace or i hit error, i cannot remember and I am currently out from my workstation. Can i tweak it to cater for my criteria?

[Ksharp]

Can you give an example ? and you want change a WORD or just a string ?

If you want change a WORD, you need add '\b' as I did before.

data _null_;

x='CB 123 (a) 456 #';
y=prxchange('s/PP|\(a\)|#|\s+//i',-1,x);
put x= / y=;
run;