SAS Macro Language (Coursera)

Offered by SAS,
SAS Macro Language (Coursera)

In this course, you learn advanced techniques within the DATA step and procedures to manipulate data.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course Learning Objectives: (3+ per course)
“By the end of this course, a learner will be able to…”
● Perform text substitution in SAS code.
● Use macro variables and macro functions.
● Automate and customize the production of SAS code.
● Conditionally or iteratively construct SAS code.
● Write self-modifying, data-driven programs.
Course 2 of 3 in the SAS Advanced Programmer Professional Certificate

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction
In this module you'll get an overview of this course and set up your practice files. Then you'll explore macro programming and learn what the macro facility will enable you to do and why it can make your job as a SAS programmer easier.

WEEK 2
SAS Macro Facility
In this module, you learn how SAS processes code behind the scenes. This is important because mastering the SAS macro facility is only possible if you understand how macro language elements impact this processing. You also learn how to create and use macro variables to dynamically modify text in a program.

WEEK 3
Storing and Processing Text
In this module, you learn more about storing and processing text. You learn to use macro functions to manipulate text, and how to use both PROC SQL and the DATA step to create macro variables based on values read from your data. You also learn how to use indirect referencing to look up a macro variable's value based on another macro variable.

WEEK 4
Working with Macro Programs
In this module, you learn to write and call macro programs to generate SAS code based on input values. You also learn about macro variable scope - where macro variables are stored and how long they are available. Finally you learn about conditionally generating and processing code using macro IF/THEN statements, and iterative processing with macro DO loops.

WEEK 5
Developing Macro Applications
In this module you learn how to store and retrieve macros so they are available in any SAS session. You also learn to build data-driven macro applications that dynamically generate SAS code based on values in your data. Finally, you learn to build safety precautions and documentation into your macro applications so that they correct themselves if problems occur, or provide helpful messages to direct the user to a resolution.

WEEK 6
Case Study (Optional - Honors)
In this case study, you solve a real-world business problem by applying concepts that you learned in this course.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera)

This course delves into a variety of processes to structure software development. It also covers the foundations of core Agile practices, such as Extreme Programming and Scrum. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: distinguish between different process models for organizing software production; gauge the applicability of process models for a software development project; apply the fundamentals of Agile software development and management practices.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera) Coursera
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera)

In this project-centered course you will build a modern software hierarchy, designed to enable the translation and execution of object-based, high-level languages on a bare-bone computer hardware platform. In particular, you will implement a virtual machine and a compiler for a simple, Java-like programming language, and you will develop a basic operating system that closes gaps between the high-level language and the underlying hardware platform.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Lean Software Development (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Lean Software Development (Coursera)

While scrum and XP were transforming the software development industry, there were another set of ideas (derived from lean manufacturing and Six Sigma) that started to influence software development methods. These ideas around Lean Software Development forms the foundation of number of agile methods. In this course, we will explore lean concepts and cover some of the common Lean methods and techniques like Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, etc.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera)

This course is the fourth course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C# programming language and the Unity game engine on Windows or Mac. Why use C# and Unity instead of some other language and game engine? Well, C# is a really good language for learning how to program and then programming professionally. Also, the Unity game engine is very popular with indie game developers; Unity games were downloaded 16,000,000,000 times in 2016! Finally, C# is one of the programming languages you can use in the Unity environment.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Avatar Psychology for Designers (Coursera) Coursera
Michigan State University

Avatar Psychology for Designers (Coursera)

This course covers the latest and greatest psychological research on avatars and is relevant to current and future designers of any medium that includes user self-representations (e.g., video games, virtual worlds, robots, automobiles, social media, etc.). By taking this course, you will be able to define digital and non-digital avatars and identify how they are applicable in everyday life.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Concurrent Programming in Java (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Concurrent Programming in Java (Coursera)

This course teaches learners (industry professionals and students) the fundamental concepts of concurrent programming in the context of Java 8. Concurrent programming enables developers to efficiently and correctly mediate the use of shared resources in parallel programs. By the end of this course, you will learn how to use basic concurrency constructs in Java such as threads, locks, critical sections, atomic variables, isolation, actors, optimistic concurrency and concurrent collections, as well as their theoretical foundations (e.g., progress guarantees, deadlock, livelock, starvation, linearizability).

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Design Threats and Mitigations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Software Design Threats and Mitigations (Coursera)

The design step in developing software has some unique characteristics. First of all, it’s the only step where drawing pictures of things is the norm. Why is that? What do pictures do that other representations cannot do? Pictures have varying levels of detail; pictures have context. Pictures…paint a picture. Why are these things important? In this course, too, we begin looking at other disciplines (building architecture is a favorite one) for lessons on design.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Learn CSS Variables (Coursera) Coursera
Scrimba

Learn CSS Variables (Coursera)

CSS Custom Properties represent a significant advancement for front-end developers, introducing the concept of variables to CSS. This innovation substantially reduces redundancy, enhances code legibility, and augments overall flexibility. Notably, CSS Variables distinguish themselves from their CSS preprocessor counterparts by seamlessly integrating into the Document Object Model (DOM), offering a plethora of advantages.

Nov 23rd 2026
1 Week
Engineering Practices for Building Quality Software (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Engineering Practices for Building Quality Software (Coursera)

Agile embraces change which means that team should be able to effectively make changes to the system as team learns about users and market. To be good at effectively making changes to the system, teams need to have engineering rigor and excellence else embracing change becomes very painful and expensive. In this course, you will learn about engineering practices and processes that agile and traditional teams use to make sure the team is prepared for change. In additional, you will also learn about practices, techniques and processes that can help team build high quality software. You will also learn how to calculate a variety of quantitative metrics related to software quality.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
COBOL Programming with VSCode (Coursera) Coursera
IBM

COBOL Programming with VSCode (Coursera)

Professor Tak Auyeung of American River College, said it beautifully, “A programming language is not a fashion statement” it is used for a purpose. Whether it is to add new features, modify logic, create APIs to integrate it into other applications, or implement modern development practices, businesses around the world need application developers who know COBOL.

Nov 9th 2026
3 Weeks
The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera)

The Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable single-board computer that you will use to design and develop fun and practical IoT devices while learning programming and computer hardware. In addition, you will learn how to set up up the Raspberry Pi environment, get a Linux operating system running, and write and execute some basic Python code on the Raspberry Pi. You will also learn how to use Python-based IDE (integrated development environments) for the Raspberry Pi and how to trace and debug Python code on the device.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Agile with Atlassian Jira (Coursera) Coursera
Atlassian

Agile with Atlassian Jira (Coursera)

Agile teams use “just enough” planning and an incremental approach to accomplishing the work of the team. Every project and every team uses a custom agile methodology. This course discusses common foundational principles and practices used by agile methodologies, providing the student a flexible set of tools to use in any role (e.g. product owner, scrum master, project manager, team member) on any agile team.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks