Syntax errors occur when a PROC SQL query is embedded within a user-created macro function and the following conditions exist:

• A comment flows for more than two lines and is at least as long as the comment in the code. Also, the comment does not extend to a third line.
• No blank line exists between the comment and the beginning of the SQL code.
• A macro variable, terminated with a period (.), is referenced on the WHERE clause and is compared to a column with the < symbol. (The problem occurs with the > symbol, too, but not with: =, <=, >= or <> symbols.)
• The terminating semicolon (;) must be on a separate line after the WHERE clause.

Here are four possible changes that prevent the error:

• Removing the period (.) after the macro variable referenced on the WHERE clause
• Moving the semicolon (;) that terminates the PROC SQL step to the same line as the WHERE clause
• Removing the blank line between the %MACRO declaration and the comment prior to the PROC SQL invocation
• Moving the comment out of the macro and putting the comment prior to the %MACRO declaration

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue.

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.3_M2 is available at:

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.3_M1 is available at: