Reading Multiple .sas7bdat files

[Appy18]

Hello all,

I had a query.Folder all_data contains multiple .sas7bdat files. I need to read it . I know how to read sinlge file but cant figure out anything regardig this.

I am new to sas, plz guide me a little.

sample data_

all_data

abc.sas7bdat

xzy.sas7bdat

pqr.sas7bdat

stv.sas7bdat

.

.

.

.

.

[Jagadishkatam]

You can assign a library with the location where the datasets are located and then use a data step to read the datasets.

libname source '~path of folder with datasets';

data want;
set source.x1 ;
run;

data want2;
set source.x2;
run;

[Appy18]

thanks @Jagadishkatam, but i think this way i have to define all the files in my folder .(correct me if i am wrong). I  don't want to do that.

[LinusH]

"Read" is quite vague.

Explain how you need to process these tables and then we can guide you.

[Appy18]

By 'read' i mean i want to view the files. Because these are the files that i got from a source and i dont know what type of data it consists. so i was looking for something that helps me in viewing the data set this folder holds. and since the folder contains multiple file, i was looking for something like macro. But since i dont have command over macro programming so i am seeking your help.If there is anyother way please suggest me.

[Astounding]

A report would be a good start. Assuming you know where the data sets are stored:

libname perm 'path to folder holding data';

proc contents data=perm._all_;
run;

[HannaZhang]

I dont think I understand what is your question .Is there 1)a folder with many datasets which you want to read into sas,2)or many folds that each one with many datasets?
if you are in case 1),I think you can use" libname source '~path of folder with datasets;"
if not,my suggestion is that organizing all folders into one folder，then you can use “libname”

[Patrick · Accepted solution]

@HannaZhang 

If you just need a single libref which includes SAS tables from multiple folders then there is no need to physically copy these tables into a single folder. Instead define a libname which includes multiple paths. 

You can look-up how that's done by searching using a terms like "SAS Library Concatenation"

N.B: If using a concatenated library then SAS traverses the paths in the order in which they are listed in the library definition.

-  in case of the same table name (file name) existing in multiple folders SAS will return the first table found

-  if creating (writing) a new table (or replacing an existing table) then SAS will create this table in the first folder in the concatenated path 

[Appy18]

Thanks, i am going to try it.