Choose appropriate INDEX function to find target strings, individual letters, or strings on word boundaries.

Note:   Sample 1 uses INDEX to search for the first occurrence of a 'word' anywhere in a string. If the string is not found, the result is zero.

Sample 2 uses INDEXC to locate the first occurence of any character specified in the excerpt. If no target is found, the result is zero.**

Sample 3 uses INDEXW to find the target excerpt in a string on a word boundary. If the word is not found, the result is zero.

**For SAS 9.0 or above, see the ANY family and NOT family of functions for more string-searching flexibility.

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These sample files and code examples are provided by SAS Institute Inc. "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Recipients acknowledge and agree that SAS Institute shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of their use of this material. In addition, SAS Institute will provide no support for the materials contained herein.

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/* Sample 1 : INDEX */

data one;
  input string $25.;

  /* Search for the word 'cat' */
  position=index(string,'cat');

  /* Search for the letter 'c' */
  letter=INDEX(string,'c');
datalines;
the cat came back
catastrophic
curious cat caterwauls
;

proc print data=one;
run;


/* Sample 2: INDEXC */

data two;
  input string $25.;
  if indexc(string,'0123456789')> 0 then has_numbers=string;
  else no_numbers=string;
datalines;
Box 101
Pine Street
;

proc print data=two;
run;


/* Sample 3: INDEXW */

data three;
  input string $25.;
  if indexw(string,'my') > 0 then contains_the_word_my='yes';
datalines;
my aunt amy
in the army
my oh my
;

proc print data=three;
run;

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These sample files and code examples are provided by SAS Institute Inc. "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Recipients acknowledge and agree that SAS Institute shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of their use of this material. In addition, SAS Institute will provide no support for the materials contained herein.

Sample 1: INDEX 

Obs    string                    position    letter

 1     the cat came back             5          5
 2     catastrophic                  1          1
 3     curious cat caterwauls        9          1



Sample 2: INDEXC 

                       has_
Obs    string         numbers    no_numbers

 1     Box 101        Box 101
 2     Pine Street               Pine Street



Sample 3: INDEXW 

                      contains_
                      the_word_
Obs      string          my

 1     my aunt amy       yes
 2     in the army
 3     my oh my          yes

Choose appropriate INDEX function to find target strings, individual letters, or strings on word boundaries.

Type:	Sample
Topic:	SAS Reference ==> DATA Step SAS Reference ==> Functions ==> Character

Date Modified:	2005-12-16 03:02:58
Date Created:	2004-09-30 14:09:09

Operating System and Release Information

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SAS System	Base SAS	All	n/a	n/a