Top N values in sas

[BrahmanandaRao]

proc sql outobs=5;
select  age from sashelp.class;
group by age;
order by age desc;
quit;

Top N Values  how to get

[PeterClemmensen]

Sort by descending and take the first N values of that.

[BrahmanandaRao]

i am not getting ouput

[PeterClemmensen]

proc sort data = sashelp.class out = temp;
   by descending age;
run;

data want;
   set temp (keep = age obs = 5);
run;

[andreas_lds]

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@BrahmanandaRao wrote:
i am not getting ouput

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Please post the code you use and the complete log. Both as text!

[gamotte · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Your SQL code is only one instruction so you only need a semi-colon at the end.

You also need to add the DISTINCT keyword.

proc sql outobs=5;
select distinct age from sashelp.class
order by age desc;
quit;

EDIT: removed group by.

[Rick_SAS]

In addition the solutions given, you might also want to learn how to create a table and bar chart of the Top N values by using PROC FREQ:  How to create a "Top 10" table and bar chart.