merge variables from save file to new variable and include in same file

[capam]

I'm attemptine to merge several variables together and create a new merged variable for plotting. The  simple concept is below.

data have;

set have;

merge varr1 var2 ... into varnew;

run';

proc sgplot data=have;

vbar varnew;

run;

[capam]

The var1 var2 etc have the same format and length.

[Reeza]

merging data sets uses a MERGE statement. 
If you're trying to combine variables use a CAT type formula. 

CATX() will concatenate variables with a delimiter, CATT() is another option.

[capam]

Thanks for the quickk reply. Using the following code it does not seem to merge. 

data have;
set have;
merge var1 var2 var3;
run;

How does the merge happen and where does it go? This should be a trivial operation. I need to merge/combine multiple variables of the same format and equal length for vbar plotting. 

Also, I'm not clear on why the CAT's need to be used..

Thanks again.

[Reeza]

It is trivial, I don't think you understand the MERGE statement. It's intended to merge DATA SETS not variables. 

Post sample data if you need further assistance. CAT will combine variables into a single variable, which is what you seem to want. But it may not be the case, which is why you need to post data if you need further help.

new_variable= catt(var1, var2, var3);

[capam]

Also, is merge the proper approach to this problem?

[capam]

The input columns look like the below:

3
	4
		5
6
	7
		10

The desired output looks like

3
4
5
6
7
10

I hope this is clearer.

Best regards.

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

New_Var = CoalesceC(var1, var2, var3);