How to Check for Missing Values in a DATA Step

When you check for ordinary missing numeric values, you can use code that is similar to the following:

if numvar=. then do;

If your data contains special missing values, you can check for either an ordinary or special missing value with a statement that is similar to the following:

if numvar<=.z then do;

To check for a missing character value, you can use a statement that is similar to the following:

if charvar=' ' then do;

The MISSING function enables you to check for either a character or numeric missing value, as in:

if missing(var) then do;

In each case, SAS checks whether the value of the variable in the current observation satisfies the condition specified. If it does, SAS executes the DO group.

Note: Missing values have a value of false when you use them with logical operators such as AND or OR. [cautionend]

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