VNAME Function

Returns the name of the specified variable

Category: Variable Information

Syntax

VNAME ( var )

Arguments

var

• specifies a variable that is expressed as a scalar or as an array reference.

• Restriction: You cannot use an expression as an argument.

Details

If the VNAME function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 200.

Comparisons

• VNAME returns the name of the specified variable. VNAMEX, however, evaluates the argument to determine a variable name. If the name is a known variable name, the function returns that name. Otherwise, the function returns a blank.

• VNAME does not accept an expression as an argument. VNAMEX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

• VNAME has the same functionality as CALL VNAME.

• Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable label, informat, and format, among others. For a list, see the 'Variable Information' functions in 'Functions and CALL Routines by Category' on page 270.

Examples

SAS Statements	Results
array x(3) x1-x3; y=vname(x(1)); put y=;	y=x1

See Also

Functions:

• 'Variable Information' functions in 'Functions and CALL Routines by Category' on page 270