Getting Data into SAS®

Read an existing SAS dataset

If the existing dataset (olddata) is in the WORK library (temporary):

DATA newdata;
  SET olddata;
RUN;

If the existing dataset (olddata) is in the PERM library (permanent) already allocated:

DATA newdata;
  SET perm.olddata;
RUN;

Note: SAS assumes the extension for SAS datasets and they don't need to be specified.

Return to SAS datasets.

Create a SAS dataset from raw data (infile, input) (Sections 2.2-2.7)

Assume the raw (text, ascii) data file is located in a:\rawdata.dat, with variables name, age, height and weight:

DATA newdata;
  INFILE 'a:\rawdata.dat';
  INPUT name $ age height weight;
RUN;

FILENAME a 'a:\';

DATA newdata;
  INFILE a(rawdata.dat);
  INPUT name $ age height weight;
RUN;

See INFILE and INPUT for addition details and examples of using the INFILE and INPUT statements.

Return to SAS datasets.

Include data in a SAS program (data step-input, datalines/cards) (Section 2.8)

INPUT name $ age height weight;
DATALINES;
John 23 75 170
Jill 56 68 130
Alexander 18 73 168
;

DATALINES (or CARDS) is a SAS keyword and must begin in column 1.
The last line must be a semicolon, and it must be located in column 1.
DATALINES4 (or CARDS4) can be used with 4 semicolons to end the data if desired.
Any form of the INPUT statements can be used.

Return to SAS datasets.

Enter data into a SAS data table (view table) (Section 2.11)

From the menus:
TABLE à EDITOR
Double click on column label and change column (variable) attributes to name the column (variable).
Enter data into the datatable.
Save data: SAVE AS (choose WORK or a permanent open library or create/open a new library).

Return to SAS datasets.

Import other types of data files-excel, dbase, oracle (import) (Section 2.17)

From the menus:
FILE à IMPORT
Follow the steps in the IMPORT wizard.

Return to SAS datasets.