hello RW9, following on from my post below. i got this done. i did it over a number of data steps, but its okay i guess, it got the job done data test; set sample_wiki7; retain artname2 artedit_id; if substr(art_name,1,1) ne "2" then do; artname2=art_name; end; run; data test2; set test; version2 = put(version, 3.) ; run; data test3; set test2; ID = catx('', artname2,version2) ; run;
... View more