replacing missing date values in a column with new date

[Azhar_ca]

Hello Folks

I am a long time reader first time Poster.

I'm a beginner in SAS with no programming/coding background. Currently stuck with a school assignment wherein i have to replace a missing date values in a Column (with existing mmddyy10. format)_with a given date 01/20/2001(mmddyy10.).

i used the following code 

proc format;
value ndate
. = 01/20/2001;
RUN;

proc print data=pipe_2 (obs=20);
FORMAT deactdt ndate.;
RUN;

It replaces the missing date values with 01/20/2001, but some how the existing date values in the column converted to actual sas date values.

how do i retain those existing date values in their initial assigned format which is MMDDYY10 AND ALSO KEEP THE NEWW REPLACED VALUES TO MMDDYY10.

YOUR response will be appreciated.

thanks

Have a wonderful day.

[andreas_lds]

Can you post the log?

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

It's not clear whether you are pursuing the proper path or not.  A format changes what prints, but doesn't change the data values themselves.  If changing the data values is the goal, you could try:

data pipe_3;

set pipe_2;

if deactdt = . then deactdt = '20jan2001'd;

run;

You could print that data set as is, since any format applied to DEACTDT would remain unchanged.

To get your original format attempt to work, you could try:

proc format;

value ndate

. = '01/20/2001'

other = [mmddyyS10.];

run;

I can't test this until Monday, but that should work.  Note that the S in the format name indicates that the separator between parts of the date should be a slash.  (There are alternatives.)

[Azhar_ca]

astounding data step fixed my problem.

thanks a lot.
Have A Wonderful Day.