Transforming Data with SAS Functions
Modifying Character Values with Functions

 

Using the SUBSTR function, you can extract the first letter of the MiddleName value to create the new variable MiddleInitial.

SAS Data Set Hrd.Newtemp

Agency	ID	LastName	FirstName	MiddleName
Administrative Support, Inc.	F274	CICHOCK	ELIZABETH	MARIE
Administrative Support, Inc.	F101	BENINCASA	HANNAH	LEE
OD Consulting, Inc.	F054	SHERE	BRIAN	THOMAS
New Time Temps Agency	F077	HODNOFF	RICHARD	LEE

You write the SUBSTR function as: substr(middlename,1,1) This function specifies that a character string be extracted from the value of MiddleName. The string to be extracted begins in position one and contains one character. Then, you place this function in an assignment statement in your DATA step. data work.newtemp(drop=middlename); set hrd.newtemp; MiddleInitial=substr(middlename,1,1); run; Notice that the MiddleName variable is dropped from the new data set. And here you see the new MiddleInitial variable.

SAS Data Set Work.Newtemp

Agency	ID	LastName	FirstName	MiddleInitial
Administrative Support, Inc.	F274	CICHOCK	ELIZABETH	M
Administrative Support, Inc.	F101	BENINCASA	HANNAH	L
OD Consulting, Inc.	F054	SHERE	BRIAN	T
New Time Temps Agency	F077	HODNOFF	RICHARD	L

Using the SUBSTR function, you can extract a substring from any character value if you know the position of the substring.