Replace a character in a string

[SASMom2]

Good Afternoon, I have a 7 character variable in a dataset. I want to replace 'X' in the 2nd position from left with a '0'  in this variable. And same way in a different dataset, replace '0' in the 2nd position from left with 'X'.

1st dataset:

I have: 0X12345

I want: 0012345

2nd dataset:

I have: 0012345

I want: 0X12345

Thank you in advance!

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

For data set 1, this is what you would do

if substr(variablename,2,1)='X' then substr(variablename,2,1)='0';

I leave it to you as a homework assignment to write the code needed (as a modification of the above code) for data set 2.

[SASMom2]

Thank you for your reply. Below is what I did.

data test2;
set dropnulls;
if substr(pol_nbr,2,1)='X' then rpol_nbr = substr(pol_nbr,2,1)='0';
where pol_nm is missing;
run;

I am getting 0 in the field where 2nd position letter is X.

for an example, for a value of 0X04236 I am getting 0 in the field instead of 0004236.

Thanks

[SASMom2]

I think I figured it out. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it.

[quickbluefish]

For this particular situation, you can also use the following weird SAS syntax:

substr(V,2,1)='X';

...where V is whatever your variable name is.  

[SASMom2]

thank you for your reply.