I want to create a data set with following macro variable.
%let x =credit data;
data &x._&sysdate9.;
set t;
run;
Getting error, can not we remove the space within a macro variable by using some function?
You can remove the space like this (note that you need to remove the dot before _&sysdate9
%let x =credit data;
data %sysfunc(compress(&x))_&sysdate9.;
set sashelp.class;
run;
DATA statement defines input dataset name in a format of <libref>.<DatasetName>.
LIBREF is defined by LIBNAME <libref> "path to data" and is limited to SAS names rules:
taken from http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrdict/64316/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a000214133.htm
libref
is a shortcut name or a "nickname" for the aggregate storage location where your SAS files are stored. It is any SAS name when you are assigning a new libref. When you are disassociating a libref from a SAS library or when you are listing attributes, specify a libref that was previously assigned.
Range: | 1 to 8 characters |
Tip: | The association between a libref and a SAS library lasts only for the duration of the SAS session or until you change it or discontinue it with another LIBNAME statement. |
therefore, as compressed &x is 'CreditData' - 10 characters long, it will end with error - illegal libref name.
I believe you've missed that the dot after &x will be consumed by the macro processor and though &x becomes part of the table name which can be up to 32 characters.
@ChrisBrooks code looks like a suitable solution to me.
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