SAS PROC IMPORT with Dynamic Named Ranges - excel

Question

I have a workbook containing database information split into various tabs that I want to import into SAS for further manipulation.
The dimensions of these database tables vary from tab to tab and in addition, there might be further changes to the dimensions of the table throughout the tenure of this project.
As such, I've set up dynamic named ranges in every tab such that it picks up the exact dimensions I require i.e. My named range TBL_SHEET1
=OFFSET(SHEET1!$A$1,0,0,COUNTA(SHEET1!$A:$A),COUNTA(SHEET1!$1:$1)-2)
Now the SAS issue is that when I use the proc import code, it does not seem to think these named ranges "exist" and returns a failure message in the log.
Is there a way around this? Or just a limitation in the way SAS communicates with Excel?
(As a side note, the reason why I am not just importing the entire tab is because there are some extra columns to the right which I want to exclude from my import)
My SAS import code:
proc import
out= rwork.SHEET1
datafile = "C:\My User\Sample.xlsx"
dbms= excel replace;
range=TBL_SHEET1.;
getnames=yes;
run;

Answer 1

Adding your code will really help. However, if I understood your question correct, the problem is with importing named ranges. Here's an example on how to import user defined named range into SAS.
In the example below, I am selecting Range A1:C7 and naming the range as Test
Now, to import the names range Test into SAS,
PROC IMPORT OUT= WANT
DATAFILE= "C:\Desktop\Test.xls"
DBMS=XLS REPLACE;
RANGE="Test";
GETNAMES=YES;
RUN;
In the above code, Range tells SAS to import data from excel under named range Test. You can also automate the code and import multiple excel sheets with dynamic name range into SAS.
For example, I have multiple sheets in an Excel which I want to import into SAS, I'll use the following code to bring the spreadsheets to SAS.
# Assigning Library #
Libname Test "C:\Desktop\Test.xls";
# Creating a table to select sheet names in above library #
Proc sql;
create table test_excel as
select *
from dictionary.tables
where libname="Test" ;
Quit;
# Assigning count and Sheet names to macros#
## Sheet names ##
Proc sql;
select memname into: list seperated by '*'
from test_excel
;
quit;
## Number of sheets ##
Proc sql;
select count(memname) into:count
from test_excel
;
quit;
# Macro to import #
options mprint;
%macro import;
%do i=1 %to &count;
%let var=%scan(&list,&i,*);
PROC IMPORT OUT= %substr(&var,1,%length(&var)-1)
DATAFILE= "C:\Desktop\Test.xls"
DBMS=EXCEL REPLACE;
RANGE="&var";
GETNAMES=YES;
RUN;
%end;
%mend import;
%import ;
I hope this is clear.

Answer 2

I replicated the problem and also can't import a dynamic (not fixed) range from Excel. It doesn't work on either EXCEL or XLSX engines.
If you need a quick solution and don't necessarily have to use Excel ranges, here is a workaround for the problem:
Allocate one sheet's cell, e.g A1 for storing what you currently store in the dynamic range TBL_sheet1, i.e. the range of cells to import.
Execute proc import only to import this range of cells:
PROC IMPORT DATAFILE="C:\test.xlsx" DBMS=xlsx out=work.x
replace;
getnames=no;
RANGE="Sheet1$A1:A1";
RUN;
Next, put the imported range to a macro variable and execute proc import again with proper RANGE= definition.
%let range=;
proc sql noprint;
select A into :range
from work.x;
quit;
%let range = %sysfunc(compress(&range.,$,));
%put &range.;
/* resolves to: B2:B4 */
%macro import(x);
PROC IMPORT DATAFILE="C:\test.xlsx" DBMS=xlsx out=work.y
replace;
getnames=no;
RANGE="Sheet1$&x.";
RUN;
%mend;
%import(&range.);