Walter,

You could use the index function something like this:

Data findem; Set <your data>; where index(x,"9") > 0;

or you could use an if condition:

if index(x,"9") > 0;

run;

HTH Toby Dunn

-----Original Message----- From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Walter Scott Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 8:59 AM To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: Re: Position in a String

You can try: if input(badnum,3.0)=9; /* assumes badnum is a char var w/ length <=3;" */ or if input(left(badnum),3.0)=9; /* assumes badnum is a char var of any length */

>>> x x <sas_user2000@YAHOO.COM> 04:10:37 23-Jul-04 >>> Hi all,

I am a newbie with 8.2 on WIN platform.

I have a dataset with a field which is or should be a 4 digit number entered as a character. Due to data entry error the field may have 1, 2, or 3 digits and in any position. ie "9 " or " 9 " or " 9 " or " 9". I do have a list of those numbers and i need to know what record they belong to but not knowing in what position the number or numbers may be I was wondering if there is a simpeler method that can look for the number or numbers any of the 4 positions in the field?

I have been using the following for each position which is time consuming. Is there an easier way?

data temp; set numberslist; if badnum ="9 " or badnum = " 9 " or badnum=" 9 " or badnum= " 9"; run;

Cheers

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail