How to convert date from Q1 2018 to 01Mar2018

[gracetones]

I have a date in char which looks like this Q1 2018. Not sure how to convert it to any date formats.

[Reeza]

What is the variable type and format?

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@gracetones wrote:

I have a date in char which looks like this Q1 2018. Not sure how to convert it to any date formats.

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[Reeza · Accepted solution]

And are you sure you want March 1 as the output? That's an unconventional Q1 start. If it's character here's one way:

data demo;
*create variable to test;
x='Q12018';

*reorder to 2018Q1;
y=catt(substr(x, 3, 4), 'Q', substr(x, 2, 1));

*import as a date;
sas_date = input(y, yyq6.);

*increment to custom interval;
quarter_start = intnx('month', sas_date, 2, 'b');

*apply format to view;
format sas_date quarter_start date9.;
run;