I'd like to write a datastep that will output a report when it has data, but will output an empty table with an explanatory statement if the processing comes up empty.

data _null_;

set spell end=last nobs=sp_obs;

file _webout;

if sp_obs > 0 then do;

* Code to generate html report here *;

end;

else do;

* Code to generate html with no data message here *;

end;

run;

This works if there is data in spell. However, it looks like if there is no data in spell, then sp_obs must not get created and thus the test fails. Is there some way to force the issue here?

Thanks

Ken Barz

Software Engineer

Intrado Metrics

Intrado Inc.

1601 Dry Creek Drive

Longmont, CO 80503

direct: 720.494.5868

pager: 303-581-7667

fax: 720.494.6600

email: ken.barz@intrado.com

Intrado.(r)

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