Data in a local language other than English might not be displayed correctly when you import the data from an Oracle database into SAS® software


When you are working with data in your own language using SAS/ACCESS® Interface to Oracle, the Oracle NLS_LANG parameter must be set correctly in order for the data to be displayed correctly.

In Microsoft Windows XP, follow these steps to set the NLS_LANG parameter:

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Select System and then click the Advanced tab.
  3. Click the Environment Variables button.
  4. Under User Variables for your-user-name, create the NLS_LANG parameter with the correct value for your language.

On UNIX systems, you can set the environment variable by exporting NLS_LANG=LANGUAGE_TERRITORY.CHARACTER_SET. The correct value of NLS_LANG is determined by the data's language.

For example, to set the NLS_LANG environment variable to support UTF-8 American_America.AL32UTF8, add the EXPORT statement to the sasenv_local file (typically found in SASHome/SASFoundation/9.4/bin) as shown here:

export NLS_LANG=American_America.AL32UTF8

Note: For a list of the values for the NLS_LANG parameter, see Commonly Used Values for NLS_LANG.