What are some to convert numeric values stored in a field that is defined as character to a field defined as numeric.

[JIM1949]

What are some to convert numeric values stored in a field that is defined as character to a field defined as numeric.

[Tom]

INPUT() function. Choose an appropriate informat.

data want ;

set have;

numvar = input(charvar,10.);

run;

[PaigeMiller]

You can't convert the field to numeric.

You can create a new numeric variable that has the same value as the character variable (except that it is translate to a number)

numericvar=charactervar+0;

[ballardw]

Not really the best but you'll find it in some folks code is to do arithmetic with it.

numvar = 0 + charactervariable;

This will generate warning messages about conversion of strings to numeric.

[Astounding]

Very similar ...

If you have already defined a new variable as numeric, just copy:

length numvar 8;

numvar = charactervariable;

If the character variable takes on unusual values that can't be converted to numeric, you will receive a warning.