SAS/ACCESS® 9.4 Interface to PC Files - Do I need it to export to Excel?

[SAS_Enthusiast]

Hello everyone.

I currently work with Base SAS 9.1 and we will be moving in the near future to Base SAS 9.4.

We rely heavily on scripts that export to Excel files either using proc export or a excel libname.

The SAS 9.4 implementation team advised us that the version that will be implemented will not have the Add On "SAS/ACCESS® 9.4 Interface to PC Files" and thus we would be unable to continue using proc export and excel libnames to export our data to excel files.

I tried to read some documentation but I could not get a clear answer from it.

Does anyone knows if it is possible to use proc export / excel libnames without having this add on? If not what other options could we pursue to be able to export to excel.

Many thanks

[gcleggs]

In SAS 9.4, the Interface to PC Files is no longer required to write to Excel. See https://communities.sas.com/kntur85557/attachments/kntur85557/sas-community-denmark/418/1/8OKT_16_Ne.... You will find the procedures explained to continue exporting to Excel.

[Reeza]

ODS Excel is available if your on TS1M3

It doesn't appear to allow you to use libname and Proc export eithout SAS/Access. 

This seems like a weird decision to not purchase the module. It will probably cost you more in time /labour to update/change code. 

[MGC1]

I am on maintaince 4 --- is ODS excel available? why is the modules so expensive? over $2,500 first year and $777 followup renewal? for a simple file transfer utilitity?

[Reeza]

XLSX doesn't need this and yes ODS EXCEL is available so you have two options. 

Why? Because they can and the money spent will save you time. I want to be paid for my work, I assume other developers/analysts do too. I don't work for SAS though...

ODS Excel file='path to XLSX file' style = meadow;
Proc print data=SASHELP.class;
Run;

ODS Excel close;

Proc export data=SASHELP.class outfile = 'path to xlsx' dbms=XLSX replace; run;

[SASKiwi]

Also if you ever need to read Excel files directly into SAS you will be a bit stuck without SAS/ACCESS Interface to PC Files. If you have SAS/ACCESS to ODBC then you could give that a try.