SAS Visual Process Flows
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This document provides instructions for importing CSV files and running basic analyses in SAS University Edition (UE) using a visual palette. It describes how to upload CSV files from a local computer, import them into SAS UE by dragging the files onto the visual palette, clean and rename the imported dataset, and link the imported dataset to a PROC FREQ analysis to view frequencies of key variables. The document notes that the method for selecting the visual palette changed in SAS UE version 3.6 and provides guidance for transferring data out of the SAS UE Toolwire environment.
SAS Visual Process Flows
- 1. SAS UE Visual Palette craigtrim@gmail.com May 2017 Updated July 2017
- 2. Upload CSV 1-3 • Import a local CSV file • Right-click on a folder and select “Upload Files” • Warning: • The downside to SAS UE is that you are limited to 10 MB CSV files. • Not an issue so far, but likely will be in the near future!
- 3. Upload CSV 2-3 • Select your local file
- 4. Upload CSV 3-3 • Now you should see the CSV file in your directory
- 5. Importing a CSV 1-7 New > Process Flow UPDATE: In SAS UE 3.6 the method for selecting the visual palette has changed. Pre-SAS 3.6 SAS 3.6
- 6. Importing a CSV 2-7 • You can start to add programs by clicking the “+” button in the upper left • You can also drag-and-drop CSV files onto the Palette!
- 7. Importing a CSV 3-7 • Drag and Drop the CSV file onto the Visual Palette
- 8. Importing a CSV 4-7 • Let’s clean things up! • Double-click the element • Note all the information we have here: • The generated code for importing the CSV • Source File Properties • Keep the “End of Line Delimiter” as “Default” • Output Data • I like to change the Data set name • SAS will use the default data set name of “IMPORT” – this is not very descriptive
- 9. Importing a CSV 5-7 • Change the Data set name • This is a far more descriptive name for our dataset
- 10. Importing a CSV 6-7 • Let’s run this process so far! • Click the “RUN” button in the upper left • When the process has completed successfully, note the “Green Check Mark” in the lower right
- 11. Importing a CSV 7-7 • Let’s view the output! • Double click the element in the visual palette • It may take a moment or two to open the table … • Click on “Results” • SAS provides a PROC CONTENTS view automatically • Note the alphabetic list of variables and attributes • It’s a good idea to scan through this and make sure nothing seems wrong • Click on “Output Data” • View the actual data!
- 12. FREQ 1-5 • Let’s run a PROC FREQ on some key columns! • We want to drop another visual element onto the palette • This gets us an “empty” Program element on the palette
- 13. FREQ 2-5 • Let’s modify the element properties! • Right-click the new program element and select “Properties” • Give a name, description and work notes
- 14. FREQ 3-5 • Let’s write the FREQ procedure! • If you double-click the program element you’ll see the “CODE” view • Write a basic FREQ procedure
- 15. FREQ 4-5 • Let’s wire this flow together! • Using your mouse, highlight the little square to the right of the first element • This is called the “control port” • Your cursor should turn into a “hand icon” • Click and drag to the little square on the left hand side of the next element • This will create an arrow that links the two elements together • Any output from one element now becomes the input to the next element • This is a powerful mechanism!
- 16. FREQ 5-5 • Let’s run it! • As before, a succesful execution will show green arrows on each flow element • Double-click the FREQ element
- 17. Visual Palette on SAS Enterprise in Toolwire • The process described in this deck was performed on SAS UE • Using SAS Enterprise Guide the same process is possible • There are a few minor differences with respect to how elements are created and represents on the visual palette
- 18. Transferring Data out of Toolwire • Once inside toolwire, click the “File Transfer” icon on the top of the desktop • A popup window will list all the data in “My Files” on your U:/ • You may need to navigate here • Click and download!
Editor's Notes
- #3: You can use a “split” program e.g. on OS X use split -b 10m ”myfile.csv” and this will create multiple 10 MB CSV files. Each can be imported individually and merged as a single SAS dataset. However, this process is cumbersome and error prone.