Proc SQL - Char to Date

[KC_16]

Hi,

I have a variable called "Date" which is currently in a CHAR format $15 and the dates are displayed as Jan-18, Feb-18 etc.

How do I change this to show a date format, ideally to keep the same format if possible like Jan-18, Feb-18. 

I have tried this but the new variable just shows a '.'

input(date, yymmn6.) as newdate, 

[RW9]

A date has to have all three components, even if you decide to format it to show less than that.  So you need to append a default day value:

input(cats('01',compress(date,"-")),date7.) as newdate format=monyy6, 

[KC_16]

Thanks for the reply. I have tried to use this but I get a syntax error

as newdate format=monyy6,
______
22
76
ERROR 22-322: Expecting a format name.

ERROR 76-322: Syntax error, statement will be ignored.

[RW9 · Accepted solution]

Missed a dot:

data have;
  date='Jan-18';
run;
  
proc sql;
  create table want as
  select input(cats('01',compress(date,"-")),date7.) as newdate format=monyy6.
  from have;
quit;

Please note above how simple it is to provide test data, and show code you are using, it saves us guessing.

[KC_16]

Thank you RW9, that has worked. I appreciate your help once again.