Another way is:

a. use proc contents to output all var names to a dataset

b. use a do statement and call symput to output all names into macro variables like &old_i

c. then use a do statement to rename all like: &&old_&i.._new = &&old_&i.

This way you can keep the original names and add a surffix to the end of each.

Need a little work to write a macro. I have done it before for handreds of vars and it worked fine.

Jason Sun Amazon.com

> -----Original Message----- > From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf Of > David L. Ward > Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 2:26 PM > To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU > Subject: Re: Better way to rename many variables? > > > This is the reason for the SAS macro language. If your variables > are named > in some kind of convention is makes it easy. I.e. > > %macro rename(n); > /* GENERATE RENAME STATEMENT */ > rename > %do I = 1 %to &n; > old&I = new&i > %end; > %mend; > > data new; > set old; > %rename(100); > run; > > Or, better yet, use proc datasets so you don't have to process the whole > data set again. > > HTH > David Ward > -----Original Message----- > From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf Of > Mahboobeh Safaeian > Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:53 PM > To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU > Subject: Better way to rename many variables? > > Hi > > I was wondering if there is a better/more efficient way of renaming 100 or > more variable, instead of using the 'rename=...' ? > > thanks > mahboobeh >