If your table is in a metadata-bound library and you have specified encryption, you might receive the following error when trying to sort it:

The error occurs when you use the SORT procedure under the following conditions:

• You have DATA= and OUT= tables.
• You have either KEEP or DROP data set options on the input DATA table.

For example, the following code would trigger the error:

There are several workarounds:

• Add the ENCRYPTKEY=key data set option after the KEEP or DROP data set options:

• Move the KEEP or DROP data set options to the output table:

• Use an SQL procedure instead of PROC SORT:

• If PROC SORT options are required (for example NODUPKEY), use an intermediate SAS VIEW of the table with the KEEP or DROP data set options:

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 9.4_M5 is available at:

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.4_M3 is available at:

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.4_M2 is available at: