When using PROC IMPORT or the Import Wizard to read in an external file, values enclosed in quotation marks are automatically created as character variables. Even if the value is numeric like "12345" and is enclosed in quotation marks, the value will be created as a character variable instead of a numeric variable. To prevent a numeric value enclosed in quotation marks from being read in as character when using either PROC IMPORT or the Import Wizard, you can submit the following %LET prior to PROC IMPORT or the Import Wizard:

   %let EFI_QUOTED_NUMERICS = yes;

By submitting the above %LET prior to PROC IMPORT or the Import Wizard, the numeric value enclosed in quotation marks will be read as a numeric variable.

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: