Problem Note 65616: Exporting data as a step in the project to CSV, TAB, or TXT files fails with System.NullReferenceException in SAS® Enterprise Guide®
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SAS Enterprise Guide enables you to export data by selecting Share ► Export or Share ► Export as step in project.
If you use Export as step in project to export to CSV, TAB, or TXT files, then the following exception might occur:
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ExternalTextFile.get_Decoder()
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ExternalFile.EnsureInitialized()
In addition, the following pop-up message might be displayed:
Typically, the error occurs the second or third time that you attempt to execute Export as step in project or the process flow that contains the Export as step in project task. It might also occur when you execute the task after you have saved the project, closed SAS Enterprise Guide, and opened it one more time.
In addition, after that this error occurs, you might not be able to save your project. The following message error might occur when saving: Cannot close application
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ExternalTextFile.get_Decoder()
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ExternalFile.WriteSerializationString(XmlTextWriter xWriter)
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ExternalFileList.WriteSerializationString(XmlTextWriter xWriter)
at SAS.EG.ProjectElements.ElementManager.SaveInternal(Boolean resetModified)
As a workaround, you might use the Export task instead of Export as step in project.
Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue.
Operating System and Release Information
| Product Family | Product | System | Product Release | SAS Release | ||
| Reported | Fixed* | Reported | Fixed* | |||
| SAS System | SAS Enterprise Guide | Microsoft® Windows® for x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 |
| Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise 32-bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8 Pro 32-bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise 32-bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows 10 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Datacenter | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Std | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Std | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2016 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Enterprise 32 bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Enterprise x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Home Premium x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Professional 32 bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Professional x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||
| Windows 7 Ultimate x64 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 TS1M6 | 9.4 TS1M7 | ||