HI Graeme You have provided only one data example If the general structure is like prefix1:string1:string2, prefix2:string3:string4=value, string5 then you could simplify extraction of the parts using function scan() like data WORK.body ; infile 'C:\WINNT\Profiles\gkirton\Desktop\ESM001A-00-0138.csv' delimiter =',' MISSOVER DSD lrecl=32767 firstobs=16 obs=185; length VAR1-var3 $97. prefix1-prefix2 string1-string4 $25; input VAR1-var3 ; prefix1 = scan( var1, 1, ':' ); prefix2 = scan( var2, 1, ':' ); string1 = scan( var1, 2, ':' ); string2 = scan( var1, 3, ':' ); string3 = scan( var2, 2, ':=' ); value = input( scan( var2, 2, '=' ), ?? best32. ); string4 = scan( var3, 1, ':' ); run;

but it all depends on the variety of data structure, whether this method is superior to any other.

Good luck

Graeme Kirton <gkirton@FILCS.COM> writes > > >Hi Folks, a little help reading in a csv file(s) I have. I read in the file as >below, only the parameter part takes the bit in BOLD. I want parameter to read >the part thats also in italic. I dont want to change my delimiter on the INFILE >for obvious reasons. Anyhelp appreciated??? > >data WORK.body (drop=comp var1); > infile 'C:\WINNT\Profiles\gkirton\Desktop\ESM001A-00-0138.csv' delimiter = >',' MISSOVER DSD lrecl=32767 firstobs=16 obs=185; > format VAR1 $97. ; > format Shot1-Shot64 best12. ; > > informat VAR1 $97. ; > informat Shot1-Shot64 best32. ; > input > VAR1 $ > Shot1-Shot64; > comp=compress(var1,' '); > Parameter=scan(comp,2,','); > run; > > >PARAMETER.................................. >(Embedded image moved to file: pic25205.pcx) Don't like this > > >Thanx >Graeme >________________________ > >Disclaimer >

-- Peter Crawford