Referencing a Raw Data File

Using a FILENAME Statement

Use the FILENAME statement to point to the location of the external file that contains the data.
Filerefs perform the same function as librefs: they temporarily point to a storage location for data. However, librefs reference SAS libraries, whereas filerefs reference external files.
Syntax, FILENAME statement:
FILENAME fileref 'filename';
  • fileref is a name that you associate with an external file. The name must be 1 to 8 characters long, begin with a letter or underscore, and contain only letters, numbers, or underscores.
  • 'filename' is the fully qualified name or location of the file.

Defining a Fully Qualified Filename

The following FILENAME statement ...

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