PROC IMPORT/EXPORT - Import long-digit number as character variable.

[Tri_Luong]

Dear all,

I am trying to write a code with Proc Import to import a *.txt file, in which there is a variable containing "card numbers" (field name: [T:L:100]CARD_NO) with 16 digits. However, after importing, the values showed in the variable are numeric as "4.69672E15". Please help to instructing me to:

PROC IMPORT OUT= WORK.PORTFOLIO_TODAY
DATAFILE="&rprt_cust_info.CC Customer Info &RPRT_TODAY..TXT"
DBMS=DLM REPLACE;
GETNAMES=YES;
GUESSINGROWS=10000;
DELIMITER="09"X;
RUN;

1/ Keep the format of the variable as "character" when importing instead of changing the format with "data steps" after the importing.

or

2/ Import all the variable as "character" format.

Thank you so much.

[Reeza]

Use a data step instead. Proc import doesn’t give you control of the variables length or type.
You can find the starter code in your log after running import and use that, modified to account for the character variable of course.

[andreas_lds]

As @Reeza already explained how to solve the problem, i'd like to add one thing: switch of caps-lock when writing code. All those uppercase chars reduce readability.