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FIRSTOBS=

Valid in:	DATA step and PROC steps
Category:	Observation control
Restriction:	Use with input data sets only.

Syntax Description

n

is a positive integer that is less than or equal to the number of observations in the data set.

Details

The FIRSTOBS= data set option is valid when an existing SAS data set is read. You cannot use this option when a WHERE statement or WHERE= data set option is specified in the same DATA or PROC step.

Comparisons

• The FIRSTOBS= data set option overrides the FIRSTOBS= system option for the individual data set.

• While the FIRSTOBS= data set option specifies a starting point for processing, the OBS= data set option specifies an ending point. The two options are often used together to define a range of observations to be processed.

• When external files are read, the FIRSTOBS= option in the INFILE statement specifies which record to read first.

Examples

This PROC step prints the data set STUDY beginning with observation 20:

proc print data=study(firstobs=20);
run;

This SET statement uses both FIRSTOBS= and OBS= to read only observations 5 through 10 from the data set STUDY. Data set NEW contains six observations.

data new;
  set study(firstobs=5 obs=10);
run;

	Data Set Options: OBS=
	Statements: INFILE WHERE
	System Options: FIRSTOBS=

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