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SAS® OnDemand for Professionals

Questions & Answers

General product information
Download instructions
About the data
Managing your account (includes Resetting your Password)
Connecting to the SAS OnDemand Server
Additional learning options
Using the software


General Product Information

  1. What is SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide?
    SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide is a low-cost, learning version of SAS. Users will download the client to their computer and connect to the analytical power of SAS over the Web for all their processing.

    For an overview, watch Introduction to SAS OnDemand for Professionals Video (3:37 min).

    View the SAS OnDemand for Professionals product page for more information.

  2. Who should consider SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide?
    Business professionals who want to learn SAS, practice what they learn in a SAS course or book, or prepare for SAS certification. Learn more about SAS OnDemand for Professionals.

    Note: University professors or students should consider SAS OnDemand for Academics.

  3. What prerequisite knowledge is required?
    Knowledge of Microsoft Windows or other software, such as Microsoft Office or spreadsheet programs is helpful, but no prior SAS knowledge is necessary. An Internet connection is required.
  4. What operating systems are supported by SAS OnDemand for Professionals?
    Available for use on Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium and above, Microsoft Windows Vista Home - Premium, and Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Macintosh and Windows 8 not supported. Can be installed on 64-bit operating system (x64 architecture); however, SAS Enterprise Guide will run as a 32-bit application. View complete details.
  5. What are the System Requirements?
    View complete system requirements.
  6. What limitations does the product have? When you first download and install the software, it might take up to one hour to gain access to the course and book data on the server while your account access is established.
  7. What SAS software products are available with SAS OnDemand for Professonals: Enterprise Guide through the SAS OnDemand Server?
    The following products are supported through the server: Base SAS, SAS/ACCESS (for PC files), SAS/ETS, SAS/CONNECT, SAS/GRAPH, SAS/HPF, SAS/IML, SAS Integration Technologies, SAS/OR, SAS/QC, SAS/SECURE, and SAS/STAT.

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Download Instructions

  1. How do I download and install the product?
    View these step-by-step instructions (.pdf).
  2. What is a SAS Profile?
    A SAS Profile is an account that you can create to access specific information and resources from the SAS Web site. If you are a current SAS user, you might already have a SAS Profile. If you are a new SAS user, you will be prompted to create a SAS Profile when you activate your license and register your account for SAS OnDemand for Professionals. If you forget your SAS Profile password or are concerned about whether it meets expected password strength criteria, see How do I reset my password?
  3. How long will it take to download and install the product?
    SAS Enterprise Guide 4.3 requires .NET Framework version 3.5 SP1. Usually, newer operating systems (Vista, Win 7) have at least a portion of the required .NET Framework and won't encounter the overhead associated with installing the .NET Framework. If it is not needed, the EG install should only take 2-5 minutes.

    If it is needed, the installation can take up to 90 minutes. It might appear as if no progress is being made or that your system has stopped processing. Please be patient while the installation progresses. (This is a Microsoft issue.)

  4. I received a "SAS Software Depot" error when trying to download my SAS Software Order from the SAS Download Manager. Error: The order you are attempting to add cannot be included in an existing SAS Software Depot. What does that mean?
    The software is set up to download to a temporary folder. If you change the location and download to a directory previously used to download another SAS software order, you may receive this error message. Use the default directory or select a directory that does not include SAS files.

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About the Data

  1. Can I use my own data?
    No. This is a learning version of SAS Enterprise Guide and is not designed for commercial use. Ample practice data from courses and books is included on the server.
  2. How do I access the course and book data on the SAS OnDemand server?
    Watch Opening SAS Data Sets, Programs, and Other Files Video (3:46 min).
  3. How do I use the software with a course, an e-Course, or a book?
    Data from these courses and books is available to you through the software product on the SAS OnDemand server so you can practice after a course, e-Course, or along with a SAS book.

    Watch Using the software with a course Video (6:34 min).

    Watch Using the software with an e-Course Video (3:54 min).

    Watch Using the software with a book Video (4:26 min).

  4. I downloaded the software but can't see the coursedata or bookdata folders on the server?
    Access to folders with data may take up to 1 hour after software installation. If the folders are still not visible after an hour, contact Tech Support.
  5. Can I write to a sasuser library or store results on the server?
    You cannot write to the sasuser library in this environment, but there is a directory named User that you can use to store results for the length of your license. To use this directory, you must associate a library with the directory each time you open SAS OnDemand for Professionals.

    Define a library to the User directory by submitting a LIBNAME statement as follows: 

    libname user '/home/userid/user';
    Note: You will need to replace userid with your SAS OnDemand for Professionals userID.
  6. I have saved results to the User directory and can't see the results? What is wrong?
    You might have used mixed or uppercase letters in your LIBNAME statement. Be sure to save results to the User library using lowercase letters. Our hosted servers use UNIX; they view names with mixed or uppercase letters as different names than a name which is all lower-case. If that doesn't fix the problem, send e-mail to SAS Technical Support.
  7. Can I point to my local SAS data sets or files using a LIBNAME or a FILENAME statement?
    No. The SAS Server is unable to access or recognize the local drives of your PC.
  8. How do I define a library to access SAS datasets in a SAS program?
    Watch Assigning Libraries to Access and Store SAS Data Video (4:06 min).
  9. How do I define a file shortcut to access raw data in a SAS program?
    Watch Defining a File Reference to Access Raw Data Video (1:51 min).

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Managing your account

  1. What is a SAS Profile? What is the SAS OnDemand for Professionals Control Center? How are they related?
    The SAS profile is used to access a variety of services on www.sas.com and support.sas.com. It is also used to log on to the SAS OnDemand for Professionals Control Center.

    The Control Center is an application that you will use to manage your SAS OnDemand for Professionals server account. The first time you log on to the Control Center, you will be prompted to enter a userid that will be used with the SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide client. The password is the same as your SAS profile password. Once you've downloaded the SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide client to your desktop, you will be prompted to log-in to the SAS OnDemand Server using the userid and password that you set up in the Control Center.

    Note: If you change your profile password, you must log on to the Control Center to update the server userid with the new password. See Resetting password instructions.


  2. How do I reset my password?
    If you have forgotten your SAS Profile password, then follow these steps:
    • Use the My Profile page to update your SAS Profile password. Click on "Forgot Password?" (Your Control Center and SAS Profile Password are the same.)
    • Your password must meet the following criteria:
      Follow these Password Guidelines:
      • Must not contain a part of your first or last name or more than two consecutive characters of your user id. (Ex: if your name is Jones, you can't have "jon" in the password)
      • Must be at least 8 characters in length
      • Must contain characters from three of the following four categories:
        • English uppercase characters (A through Z)
        • English lowercase characters (a through z)
        • Base 10 digits (0 through 9).
        • Non-alphabetic characters (for example, !, $, #, %)
    • IMPORTANT: After you update your SAS profile password, you must log in to the Control Center, with your new SAS Profile Information.
    • If you've already downloaded the SAS Enterprise Guide client to your local computer, click on the icon on your desktop and log in there using your updated SAS Profile password.
    • If you have not downloaded the software, go to My Training and log in with your SAS Profile to view your license to SAS OnDemand for Professionals and download it.
  3. How can I check my account status?
    Log in to the Control Center and select Account Details.
  4. How do I check to see if my license for SAS OnDemand for Professionals has expired?
    Visit My Training and log in with your SAS Profile to check the status of your account license. If SAS OnDemand for Professionals is not listed there, it has expired. To renew, send e-mail to SAS Training or call 800-333-7660.

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Connecting to the SAS OnDemand Server

  1. How do I log in to the SAS OnDemand server?
    Each time you open SAS OnDemand for Professionals, you are prompted to log in to the server. Use your userid (from Control Center) and Password (same as SAS Profile password). If you forgot your password, read the instructions for resetting your password.

    Login window

  2. Is there a limit to the number of times I can submit SAS jobs to the SAS Server?
    No. There is no limit.
  3. Can I use the SAS Server with other SAS software that I have licensed?
    No. The SAS Server has been configured to support only software client applications associated with SAS OnDemand for Professionals products.
  4. I cannot access the SAS Server when I try logging in. What do I do?
    View the Server Status page for quick troubleshooting suggestions.
  5. My connection to the SAS OnDemand Server failed after I left my machine. What happened?
    An open connection to the SAS Server, will likely time out after 45 minutes if the connection is idle. This is a standard firewall setting. We recommend you save your work and exit SAS OnDemand for Professionals before leaving the computer.
  6. If I have trouble with my software, how do I get support?
    Submit your problem to support@sas.com. Be sure to specify that you are using SAS OnDemand for Professionals.
  7. Why can't I access my SAS OnDemand for Professionals software from my work computer?
    Your company most likely has a firewall restriction that keeps you from accessing the software. Check with your company's software administrator.

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Additional Learning Options

  1. Can I use SAS OnDemand for Professionals to practice what I learn in a SAS course or book?
    Yes. In fact, we recommend it for optimal results. View a complete list of courses and books supported. Data from these courses and books is available to you through the software product on the SAS OnDemand server.

    Watch Using the software with a course Video (6:34 min).

    Watch Using the software with an e-Course Video (3:54 min).

    Watch Using the software with a book Video (4:26 min).

  2. If I can't import my own data, what data can I use to learn?
    This is a learning version of SAS Enterprise Guide and is not designed for commercial use. Ample practice data from courses and books is included on the server. View a complete list of courses and books supported.

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Using the Software

  1. Does SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide have all the same features as SAS Enterprise Guide?
    No. Certain features have been disabled, including the ability to import and upload data. Note: The online Help system documents all SAS Enterprise Guide features including those that are unavailable in this product.
  2. Can I use SAS Enterprise Guide to write SAS programs?
    Yes! In fact, the Program window in SAS Enterprise Guide offers the most advanced features of any SAS program editor. To open a new Program window, select File New Program. After you run a SAS program, the log, output data, and results open in tabs in the workspace (as shown below):

    SAS Programming windows

  3. Will SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide work if I already have SAS Enterprise Guide installed?
    SAS does not support installations of SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide with other versions of SAS Enterprise Guide.
  4. How do I complete tasks in SAS Enterprise Guide?
    Watch Using SAS Enterprise Guide Tasks Video (4:11 min).

    Note: Extensive help is available in the Getting Started Tutorial in the SAS OnDemand for Professionals: Enterprise Guide Help menu.

  5. How do I write and submit SAS programs?
    Watch Writing and Submitting SAS Programs Video (6:52 min).
  6. I am getting an error message when trying to submit copied code in the Code (Program) window. What should I do?
    This could be the result of hidden or special characters in the code that you copied in to the Code window. Simply type in the code instead of copying it. If it's too long, try saving the code as a text file to remove any special characters and then copy the code in to the Code window. For more information, see SAS Note 16658.
  7. How do I save my projects or files?
    Each time you exit SAS Enterprise Guide, be sure to save your project. All the tasks you run and programs you write are saved in the project file. You must save the project to your local computer.
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