Labels - Recoding variables

[sconn]

I know you can change the lables for variables but how do I change record values? 

For example, I have a variable named state and then the abbreviations for 50 states, how can I change and label them to the full name?

Ex: CA = California 

[Jagadishkatam]

There are different approaches to change the variable values, either you could try with if then else condition or simply using the format

example1: if then else

Data want;
set have;
if var='CA' then var1='California';
else if var='TX' then var1='Texas';
run;

example 2: with format, we need to create the format first and to the same variable we could apply that format with format statement.

proc format;
value $states
'CA'='California'
'TX'='Texas';
run;

data want;
set have;
format var $states.;
run;

[sconn]

thanks Jag,

I did this and no errors came up but it did not seem to change in the tables or dataset. Thank you for your help!

[Jagadishkatam]

Could you please post your code or screenshot of the code.

[sconn]

proc format;
value $states
'MA'='Massachusetts'
'CT'='Connecticut'
'NH'='New Hampshire'
'VT'='Vermont'
'ME'='Maine'
'RI'='Rhode Island';
run;

data Final;
set Final3;
format var $states.;
run;

[Jagadishkatam]

what is the variable in final3 dataset which has the values as MA,CT,NH. you have to mention that variable name in the format statement replacing the 'var' in data step.

[Reeza]

@sconn Your code appears correct but note that a format changes how a variable is displayed but not the underlying value. 

So, if it's not working, your starting point isn't necessarily what you think, IE CA isn't CA but something else. 

Look at a proc contents of your dataset before and after you apply the format and try the IF version. 

Post the proc contents if you need help debugging. 

[Ksharp]

Check STNAME(). 


state=stname('NC');
put state; NORTH CAROLINA
state=stnamel('NC');
put state; North Carolina