converting dates to numeric

[desireatem]

How do I convert dates of this form 10/27/2006 to numeric? some dates are 2/2/2006?

[stat_sas · Accepted solution]

If I understood it correctly, you need number equivalent to the date then please try this.

data have;

input date mmddyy10.;

format  date mmddyy10.;

date_number=date;

datalines;

10/27/2006

;

[desireatem]

I do not understand, the data is imported from excel, the variable name is date.

Just as you said I need number equivalent to the date then please try this.

[stat_sas]

What is the type of date variable? Are you looking to convert char date variable into numeric or just need to know number which represents 10/27/2006?

[desireatem]

A number 10/27/2006

[stat_sas]

What is the desired output?