IMPORT Procedure Overview

The IMPORT procedure reads data from an external data source and writes it to a SAS data set. External data sources can include:

• Microsoft Access databases

• Microsoft Excel workbooks

• Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets

• Paradox files

• SPSS files

• Stata files

• DBF files

• JMP delimited files

The SAS variable definitions are based on the input records. The IMPORT procedure imports the data using one of the following methods:

• generated DATA step code

• generated SAS/ACCESS code

• translation engines.

You customize the results with statements and options that are specific to the input data source. The Import procedure generates a SAS data set and writes information about the import to the SAS log. In the log, you see the DATA step, or the SAS/ACCESS code that the Import procedure generates. If a translation engine is used, no code is submitted.

To import data, you can use the Import Wizard, which is a windowing tool that guides you through the steps to import an external data source. You can request that the Import Wizard generate IMPORT procedure statements, which you can save for subsequent use. To open the Import Wizard, select File  Import Data from the SAS windowing environment.

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