In SAS, how do I create a transport data set file?

A SAS transport data set file is a machine-independent file that allows you to move a SAS data set from one operating system to another. You can directly read a SAS transport data set file with several statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, BMDP).

Following is an example of SAS code to copy the SAS data set file job1.sas7bdat to a SAS transport data set file portable.xpt in the outdata directory:

In the example above:

• The first LIBNAME statement aliases the library reference (libref) misc to the work directory.
  
  
• The second LIBNAME statement aliases the libref sasxpt with the physical name of a SAS transport format file (in this case, portable.xpt in the outdata directory).
  
  
• The COPY procedure copies one or more SAS data sets in the IN= libref (in this case, misc) to the OUT= libref (in this case, sasxpt).
  
  
• The SELECT statement specifies that only the file job1.sas7bdat should be included in the transport file portable.xpt .

The file and pathnames in the above example follow Unix conventions. If you use SAS for Windows, follow the appropriate filename and pathname conventions. For example, in SAS for Windows, the two LIBNAME statements in the above example would instead be:

You can find more information on running SAS for Windows with the Stat/Math Center's Getting Started with SAS for Windows. For more information on running SAS in Unix, see the Stat/Math Center's Getting Started with SAS for UNIX.

For more about statistical and mathematical software, email the UITS Stat/Math Center, visit the center's web page, or phone 812-855-4724 (IUB) or 317-278-4740 (IUPUI). The center is located in Bloomington at 410 N. Park Avenue, and is open for consultation by appointment Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

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