colon wildcard doesn't work in format statement

[baldphil]

I am trying to create a date dimension table. Here is my code:

data date_dim;

     format date: date9.;

     do date='01JAN1990'd to '31DEC2089'd;

          date_yr_begin=intnx('Year', date, 0);

          output;

     end;

run;

The formatting does not work, however when I use the format statement with the variable names made expliciy, it does work. What's wrong?

[data_null__]

When the FORMAT statement compliled there are no varaibles that begin with DATE.  Think about it.

[baldphil]

what about date_yr_begin?

[data_null__ · Accepted solution]

move the format to AFTER the variables are defined.

[baldphil]

OK, I get it. Put format at the end. Thx

[Haikuo]

if you have difficulty understanding DN's precise answer, here is one in action: move your format statement after the loop.

Haikuo