convert a date stored as a macro value to a sas date

[Batman]

How can I convert the following text date stored in a macro variable into a sas date?

%let dt=September 16, 2005;

%put &dt;

[Kurt_Bremser]

How do you set the macro variable initially?

[Batman]

I initially read it in as a parameter with the %quote() around it.   Similar to 

%macro xyz(dt);

....

%mend;

%xyz(%quote(September 16, 2005))

[Kurt_Bremser]

So you type that unwieldy string manually into the code? Why don't you use a format that is easier to handle, like YYYYMMDD?

[ballardw]

Where do you want to use this new "date" value? As another macro variable? Variable in a data step or proc sql?

General solution without details is going to involve an Input function with a proper informat as the possibly cleanest solution. But which and where can bring up some details.

@Kurt_Bremser is hinting, I think, that when you make it may be the place to create the new value.

[Batman]

I intend to use it as a date filter in a data step.   I know I can convert the date by hand to someone more user friendly, but was hoping SAS could do it if it doesn't require really elaborate code.

[Batman]

Sorry, "something more user friendly"

[mkeintz · Accepted solution]

For macro variables, I suggest using text in the form of ddMMMyyyy, without any quotes.

I.e, something like

    %let d=05JUL2021 ;

This tactic makes it easy to use macrovar-based dates in regular SAS code, as in:

data want;
   set have;
   where date >="&d"d;
run;

I.e., in the SAS code, just provide the trailing d, and the quotes - but they have to be double quotes to avoid masking the &d value.

Similarly for time, use 

   %let t=15:05:20.05

And for date-times
   %let dt=03jul2021:12:20:30.10;

whose use in a sas program might look like:

%let d=05jul2021;
%let t=15:30:15.05;
%let dt=03jul2021:12:20:30.10;

data _null_;
  d="&d"d;      put d=date9.;
  t="&t"t;      put t=time11.2;
  dt="&dt"dt;   put dt=datetime30.3;
run;