Replace "." with blanks in a dataset

[ANKH1]

That was my first try, but the log marked an error, something along the lines of the variable not having the right format.

[Reeza]

. represent numeric missing. If you want blanks when you export the data to a different format use option missing='';

https://documentation.sas.com/doc/en/pgmsascdc/9.4_3.5/lesysoptsref/n0qamf3yfjtwzhn1ran6xwblnlea.htm...(.).

[sbxkoenk]

A missing value for a CHAR variable is a blank.
A missing value for a NUMERIC variable is a dot ( . ).

Do you really want to change that "behavior" of SAS??
It's possible, but a bit of a weird idea and I wouldn't do it.

If you convert your numeric variable into a character one, the dots become blanks.

Koen

[Astounding]

It might take 3 simple statements, such as:

if var3="." then var3=" ";

However, first confirm the values that look like blanks or dots. Check using:

proc freq data=have;
tables months timepoint var3 ;
format months timepoint var3 $hex6.;
run;