How do I Export Data from SAS to Text File?

Utilizing the PROC EXPORT Procedure

The core functionality for external data output in SAS relies on the PROC EXPORT statement. This procedure minimizes the complexity of writing custom DATA step code for file output, providing a quick and standardized way to generate various external file outputs, including standard text files.

Understanding the basic structure of the PROC EXPORT command is essential for successful data translation. The following syntax template illustrates the fundamental components required to export a dataset to an external text file:

/*export data to file called my_data.txt*/
proc export data=my_data
    outfile="/home/u13181/my_data.txt"
    dbms=tab
    replace;
run;

Key Parameters of the Export Statement

Each keyword within the PROC EXPORT statement serves a specific function in defining the source data and the characteristics of the target file. It is crucial to define these options accurately to ensure data integrity during the export process.

• data: Specifies the name of the source dataset residing within the SAS environment that you intend to export. This parameter is mandatory.
• outfile: Defines the complete file path and filename where the resulting text file will be saved on your operating system or server.
• dbms: Determines the type of external file format. For generating delimited text files, tab is typically used, signaling that the output should conform to a text format structure.
• replace: An optional but highly useful statement. When included, it instructs SAS to overwrite the output file if a file with the same name already exists in the specified outfile location, preventing execution errors.

The following practical examples show how to leverage this procedure for various export requirements.

Example 1: Export Dataset to Text File with Default Settings

Suppose we begin with a sample dataset in SAS containing information about various basketball players. This dataset, named my_data, holds metrics such as player rating, points, assists, and rebounds. We first define and view the data using the DATA step and PROC PRINT:

/*create dataset*/
data my_data;
    input rating points assists rebounds;
    datalines;
90 25 5 11
85 20 7 8
82 14 7 10
88 16 8 6
94 27 5 6
90 20 7 9
76 12 6 6
75 15 9 10
87 14 9 10
86 19 5 7
;
run;

/*view dataset*/
proc print data=my_data;

Executing the Default Export

To perform the export using the default settings, which often result in a tab-separated file when dbms=tab is used, we execute the following PROC EXPORT code block. This command creates a file named my_data.txt at the specified output path:

/*export dataset*/
proc export data=my_data
    outfile="/home/u13181/my_data.txt"
    dbms=tab
    replace;
run;

Once the procedure successfully runs, we can navigate to the location on the computer where the file was exported to verify its contents:

The resulting text file accurately mirrors the data contained within the source dataset from SAS, including the header row.

Example 2: Customizing Delimiters and Headers

While the default settings are often sufficient, data sharing frequently requires adherence to specific file formats. For instance, the receiving system might require a semicolon as a field delimiter, or demand that the header row (variable names) be excluded from the resulting text file.

The PROC EXPORT procedure accommodates these needs through the DELIMITER and PUTNAMES arguments, allowing for precise control over the output structure.

Applying Custom Settings for Export

/*export dataset*/
proc export data=my_data
    outfile="/home/u13181/my_data2.txt"
    dbms=tab
    replace;
    delimiter=";";
    putnames=NO;
run;

In this customized execution, we are generating a new file named my_data2.txt. The DELIMITER=";" option forces the use of a semi-colon as the field separator, while PUTNAMES=NO ensures that the variable names are suppressed, resulting in a cleaner data-only output file.

Verification of Custom Output

Navigating to the export location and opening the new file confirms that the custom instructions were correctly applied by SAS.

Notice that the header row has been removed, and the data values are clearly separated by semi-colons instead of the default tab or space delimiter. This demonstrates the flexibility of PROC EXPORT in handling specific external file requirements.

Further SAS Resources

For advanced options regarding file encoding, handling of complex data structures, or detailed information about other optional parameters, always refer to the complete official documentation for the PROC EXPORT statement.

The following tutorials explain how to perform other common data management tasks in SAS:

1. How to Import Text Files into SAS