SAS Proc Datasets - Change dataset name using macro variable

Question

I want to change dataset names in SAS using concatenated macro variables. Using the example code below I get an error. Is my syntax wrong or is it not possible to use a concatenating function in this way?

Code:

 %let term=201610;
 %let emp='bob';

 Proc Datasets library=work;
 change testset = cat(&emp,&term);
 run;

Errors Received:

ERROR 22-322: Syntax error, expecting one of the following: ALTER, MEMTYPE, MT, MTYPE, PROTECT, PW, READ, WRITE.

ERROR 76-322: Syntax error, statement will be ignored.

Reeza · Accepted Answer · 2017-08-15 15:49:43Z

1

You don't need to concatenate macro variables, it's like a find and replace text. Because you have quotes right now this is what would happen:

 change testset = cat('bob', 201610)

But the CAT function is not valid there. You could technically use %SYSFUNC() to use the CAT function but there's an easier way.

 %let term=201610;
 %let emp='bob';

 Proc Datasets library=work;
 change testset = &emp&term.;
 run;quit;

Note that PROC DATASETS requires a QUIT to terminate.

edited Aug 15, 2017 at 15:49

answered Aug 15, 2017 at 15:32

Reeza

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2 Comments

Longfish Over a year ago

The quotes around 'bob' need removing as well

Reeza Over a year ago

Thanks, fixed it.

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