Using Formatted Input

INPUT Statement Syntax

Formatted input is a powerful method for reading both standard and nonstandard data in fixed fields.
Syntax, INPUT statement using formatted input:
INPUT <pointer-control> variable informat.;
  • pointer-control positions the input pointer on a specified column.
  • variable is the name of the variable.
  • informat. is the special instruction that specifies how SAS reads the raw data.

Using the @n Column Pointer Control

The @n is a pointer control that moves the input pointer to a specific column number. The @ moves the pointer to column n, which is the first column of the field that is being read.
Syntax, INPUT statement using formatted input and the @n pointer control: ...

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