The paper is describing a solution for a problem that is not yours.  As you understand the solution for the problem you can modify that. Perhaps more easy to build your own. My analyses: Step 1: Collect the needed information on variables    The paper is using Proc SQL on the dictionary  -- macro rename    Collecting the list in macro-array.         Step 2: Execute changes    The paper is using proc datasets ... modify    As the the list is a macro array the list is processed in macro.    Base SAS(R) 9.3 Procedures Guide, Second Edition  Proc datasets modify...    You can use attrib to assing all attributes as well at the same maco process statements    Needing some additional logic can be don with macro programming %if ... %then  handling the strings  ... View more

proc sql; create table x as select  subjid, aeterm, min(aestdt) as mindate format=date9. from test group by subjid having aestdt = min(aestdt); quit; proc print; run; ... View more