Changing Data Set Variables Into Macro Variables

To create a few macro variables, the %LET statement works extremely well. But if one wants to automate the production of macro variables, DATA steps with the CALL SYMPUT statement or PROC SQL provide a better method. If a large number of macro variables need to be created from data set variables, however, even these solutions many require a great deal of typing. Furthermore, if the number of macro variables created for each data set variable and observation is extremely large, the memory demands on the system can be huge. The SAS system however, provides an elegant way to overcome these problems with the CALL SET routine.