change multiple time variables to character time in array

[jenim514]

Hi,

I have a dataset with multiple timepoints in each observation (eg.  lbtim1 lbtim2 lbtim3...).  They are all in time5. numeric format.

How can I change all of these to character format (TOD5.)?

All of the time variables have the same prefix 'lbtim'  with the timepoint.  Here is what I started with:

data prsupp;
set db.lbi;

array timn (*) lbitim:;
array timc (*) lbtimc:;
do i= 1 to dim (timn);
if ~missing (timn(i)) then timc(i)=put(timn(i),tod5.);
end;
run;

I guess it's something with the new character variables I'm trying to create.  Or can I just overwrite the numeric variables to character somehow?

Help is appreciated!

[ballardw]

Are you sure you need a character variable? Often using the desired format at the appropriate time is sufficient.

The problem is that you created a numeric variable with your array statement and likely incorrectly if the variables are supposed to be new.

Do the lbtimc: variables already exist? If not the following doesn't work because it will create an array of 0 elements that would be numeric. I expect that your log showed something like:

WARNING: Defining an array with zero elements.

after the line with the line array timc (*) lbtimc:;

SAS cannot read your mind to know that you want another variable to match a list of existing variables.

Use

array lbtimc (5) $6 ;

to create 5 new variables lbtimc1-5 of length 6 characters. Use the number that matches your data.

If you leave out the 6 the variables will default to 8 characters