12-22-2015 09:55 AM
In numeric variable, I have numbers with 2 and 3 decimal points. what format can I use to convert them to the character format with same decimal points.
12-22-2015 10:05 AM
Well, if the numbers are all in one column then you likely have a general format such as best. applied to it. Set the format explicity that you want:
format <your_variable> 5.3;
This will give the number 5 elements including dot e.g.
However to extra zeroes to pad out you use the z format:
format <your_variable> z7.4;
So 42.3 would become:
12-22-2015 02:01 PM
As was noted, you don't have to convert them. You could simply use a format when printing them.
Since your original question asked about converting them to character, you would use a PUT function.
newvar = put(oldvar, 8.3);
The width that you choose ("8" in this example) must be wide enough to include all characters that will be needed: digits before the decimal point, digits after, the decimal point itself, and a negative sign if needed.