1. Tech Tip: Use SQL and DATASETS procedures to rename variables
Rebecca Willison
Analytical Scientist
Monsanto

2. The scenario A solution
You need to add a prefix or suffix to some or all of the variables in a dataset
The number and/or names of the variables may change each time you run your program
A solution
Use PROC SQL to create a macro variable with a statement to rename variables
Use PROC DATASETS (or DATA step) to rename variables

3. Example Code Create rename statement of the form var1=newvar1
proc sql noprint; select cats(name,'=','new',name) into :newnames separated by ' ' from dictionary.columns where libname="WORK" and memname="MYDATA" and name not like "id"; quit; proc datasets library=work nolist; modify mydata; rename &newnames; run;
Store list of all variables to be renamed in macro variable newnames
Specify your dataset and the variables you want to exclude from renaming
Use the macro variable newnames to rename your variables
Note: You can also use the “newnames” macro variable in a data step to rename variables, however this is less efficient as each row of data is being read in.

4. Any Questions? Create rename statement of the form var1=newvar1
proc sql noprint; select cats(name,'=','new',name) into :newnames separated by ' ' from dictionary.columns where libname="WORK" and memname="MYDATA" and name not like "id"; quit; proc datasets library=work nolist; modify mydata; rename &newnames; run;
Store list of all variables to be renamed in macro variable newnames
Specify your dataset and the variables you want to exclude from renaming
Use the macro variable newnames to rename your variables
Note: You can also use the “newnames” macro variable in a data step to rename variables, however this is less efficient as each row of data is being read in.