wrong variable type: how to search

[fengyuwuzu]

In my data, some character variables were defined as numeric by mistake. 

In this case, if I want to search "Yes" or "No", it does not work. 

25 GOPTIONS ACCESSIBLE;
26 data test;
27 set db.ct_reading;
28 where qc_accepted = 'Yes';
ERROR: WHERE clause operator requires compatible variables.
29 run;

How to work around this situation? 

I also see some cases where character variable missing is "." and numeric variable missing is " ". 

How to condition on these mis-typed missing values?

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

These numeric variables are formatted to show "yes" or "no"

You have to search for the numeric values, such as (this is often the case, but not always) 1 for yes and 0 for no. 

Or you could remove the format, and then you can see in the view which values they have.

[fengyuwuzu]

yes, I used 1 for yes and it works. 

I will also try removing format.