Importing CSV file using Academic SAS Studio

[radhikaudel]

I'm running the below Proc Import  code on Academics' SAS Studio and getting errors as stated:

proc import datafile="C:/Users/radhi/Desktop/out.csv"
        out=cards
        dbms=csv
        replace;
    

Here is the LOG message:

OPTIONS NONOTES NOSTIMER NOSOURCE NOSYNTAXCHECK;

NOTE: Unable to open parameter catalog: SASUSER.PARMS.PARMS.SLIST in update mode. Temporary parameter values will be saved to

WORK.PARMS.PARMS.SLIST.

ERROR: Physical file does not exist, /pbr/biconfig/940/Lev1/SASApp/C:/Users/radhi/Desktop/out.csv.

ERROR: Import unsuccessful. See SAS Log for details.

85

It is a rather large file: 180 ,000 KB. Is that why it fails to import?

What is going wrong? Thanks for any help!

[ChrisNZ · Accepted solution]

The browser on which SAS Studio runs just presents you with an interface to SAS: SAS runs on a server, not on your PC. 
The server knows nothing of your local files.

The SAS server uses Linux, not Windows, and you give a Windows path. How could that work?

ERROR: Physical file does not exist, /pbr/biconfig/940/Lev1/SASApp/C:/Users/radhi/Desktop/out.csv.

The part in red is the Linux path, to which the path you provided is appended.

You need to upload your file to the server. See here https://support.sas.com/ondemand/manuals/UploadingDataUsers.pdf

Then use the path to which you uploaded the file in your code.

[radhikaudel]

Wow, I had no idea about this. Thanks!

[ChrisNZ]

@ShelleySessoms @AnnaBrown This is also a very common question that might be suitable for pinning.

[Cynthia_sas]

Hi:
In our Programming 1 class, where we cover using PROC IMPORT to import CSV files, we also have specific instructions for how to find the correct file path for the import. The best way to ALWAYS find the path you need to use is to right click on the file name in the Server Files and Folders pane on the left side of the SAS Studio screen and then choose Properties. The Location field in the Properties window will show you the correct path to use. If you don't see your file of interest in the Server Files and Folders location, then you MUST upload the file from your local machine to the server. As @ChrisNZ explained, SAS Studio is talking to SAS on a Linux server. You can't use C: drive locations with SAS Studio and SAS OnDemand for Academics because the SAS server can't reach to your machine to read the data. SAS Studio will allow you to upload files TO the server and download files FROM the server, but PROC IMPORT running on the server will not directly read data from your C: drive.
Cynthia