Merge that Keeps the Smaller Dataset Structure

[DavidPhillips2]

Is there a merge function that combines columns from two datasets while only updating the smaller dataset with the first value of the larger dataset?

E.g. Dataset 1

A

B

Dataset 2

A orange

A blue

B pink

Result dataset

A orange

B pink

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

This generates the desired result. I won't promise it is extensible for all cases.

data work.data1;
   input a $;
datalines;
A
B
;
run;
data work.data2;
   input a $ color $;
datalines;
A orange
A blue
B pink
;
run;

data work.try;
   merge work.data1 work.data2;
   by a;
   if first.a;
run;

[DavidPhillips2]

Ballardw,

Thanks I forgot about first dot.  Happy letters and colors pair up now.

[PeterClemmensen]

Not sure if this is what you are asking, but this gives the desired output

data dataset1;
input var1 $;
datalines;
A
B
;

data dataset2;
input var1 $ var2 $;
datalines;
A orange
A blue
B pink
;

proc sort data = dataset1;
   by var1;
run;

proc sort data = dataset2;
   by var1;
run;

data want;
   merge dataset1 dataset2;
   by var1;
   if first.var1;
run;