Sticky Macro variables in SAS

Question

I am running a macro loop that contains macro functions like so:

%macro loop;
%do j=1 %to 1000;
%macro variable;
%end;
%mend;

The macro variable itself has some macro functions enclosed like so:

%macro variable;

%macro rename(x);

proc sql;
create table Renamed&j&x as
select *,

rename1 as rename1,
rename2 as rename2,
...

from rename&j&x
quit;

%rename(1);
%rename(2);
....

%mend;
%mend;

What is the correct syntax for these sticky, nested macro loops and variables? I seem to remember using &&j and &x but I'm getting errors.

The code works if i replace all &j with a 2, so the code is fine, the recursive nature of the loop isn't injecting the variable correctly. TIA.

Answer 1

Make sure to define the macro variables your macro uses as LOCAL.

Take for example a macro variable I you might use as a loop counter. If you do not first declare it as local then if there already exists a macro variable named I SAS will modify that macro variable instead of creating a new local one. Then when your macro stops and the macro that calls it tries to continue the value of &I has changed.

PS Don't nest the macro definitions. That will just cause confusion.