BookmarkSubscribeRSS Feed
gzr2mz39
Quartz | Level 8
I want to remove the last 3 characters (i.e. :00) from a variable.
For example, how do I change these 3 observations:
8:00:00
7:45:00
10:00:00

to this format
8:00
7:45
10:00

Thank you.
4 REPLIES 4
p12937
Obsidian | Level 7
Here are a few options:
data t;
infile cards;
input t $8.;
length solution1 solution2 solution3 $5.;
solution1=scan(t,1,':')||':'||scan(t,2,':');
solution2=put(input(t,time8.),time5.);
solution3=reverse(substr(reverse(trim(left(t))),4));
cards;
8:00:00
7:45:00
10:00:00
;
Ksharp
Super User
What type is your variable? Numeric or Character?
[pre]



data t;
infile cards;
input t $8.;
time=put(input(t,time8.),hhmm5.);
cards;
8:00:00
7:45:00
10:00:00
;
run;
[/pre]


Ksharp
gzr2mz39
Quartz | Level 8
Numeric.
Your response and p12937's response were very helpful.
Thank you.
Patrick
Opal | Level 21
Hi

If the type is numeric then assigning another format like Ksharp showed would do:

format time hhmm5.;

HTH
Patrick

sas-innovate-2026-white.png



April 27 – 30 | Gaylord Texan | Grapevine, Texas

Registration is open

Walk in ready to learn. Walk out ready to deliver. This is the data and AI conference you can't afford to miss.
Register now and lock in 2025 pricing—just $495!

Register now

How to Concatenate Values

Learn how use the CAT functions in SAS to join values from multiple variables into a single value.

Find more tutorials on the SAS Users YouTube channel.

SAS Training: Just a Click Away

 Ready to level-up your skills? Choose your own adventure.

Browse our catalog!

Discussion stats
  • 4 replies
  • 7914 views
  • 0 likes
  • 4 in conversation