Importing comma-separated values (CSV) files into SAS® Studio results in data sets that contain blank labels


The Import file functionality of SAS® Studio, either standalone or as a node in a flow, produces a data set with labels that are all set to blank when applied to a comma-separated value (CSV) file. 

For example, this issue occurs when you complete steps similar to the following:

  1. Create a new flow.
  2. Add an Import file node.  
  3. Select a CSV file that contains variable names specified as the first row in the file.
  4. Analyze the file.
  5. Click the Preview and Modify Data tab.
  6. Click the View and edit the column structure icon. All of the labels are blank.A data set with all blank labels.

This issue is the result of a limitation of the Import file functionality of SAS Studio. A feature request has been opened to address this limitation. 

Workaround 

To circumvent this limitation, save the CSV file as an Excel file (XLSX) and apply the import on the Excel file. 

The imported data set will have labels that are assigned with the full-length variable names.  

A data set with labels assigned with the full-length variable names