%Let macro variable be max date in dataset

[daszlosek]

Hello,

I wanted to make a macro variable that is the maximum date of the variable (datevar) in my dataset (mydata). Something along the lines of the following:

%let max_dt = max(work.mydata.datevar);

Any recommendation would be much appreciated.

Best,

daszlosek

[Tom · Accepted solution]

Use PROC SQL to find the max and put it into the macro variable.

Depending on how you use it might want to format the value in different ways.

This should get a number that you can use to compare to other DATE variables.

proc sql noprint;
select max(datevar)
  into :max_dt trimmed
  from mydata
;
quit;

Or you could use something like this to get a string that you could use building a filename or title statement.

select max(datevar) format=yymmddn8.
  into :max_dt
  from mydata
;

Or you could generate the value in the form of a date literal.

select cats(quote(put(max(datevar),date9.)),'d')
  into :max_dt
  from mydata
;

[daszlosek]

Worked like a charm! Have never used colons before.

Thank you!