How to read CSV using PROC IMPORT

I believe you have read a lot paper for how to read CSV file. Here I want to add some helpful tips:
#1.
We can control the TERMSTR, ENCODING and LRECL using fileref, which may affect how PROC IMPORT handle the file.
For example, we can read UNIX format file in Win SAS.

filename in "&incsvfile" termstr=lf encoding=utf8 lrecl=32767;
proc cimport in=in out=work.test dbms=csv; 
    getnames = yes;
    datarow = 2;
    guessingrows = 2147483647;
run;

#2.
CSV file may not be read correctly when null value is using two double-quote. To fix this, please set the macro variable EFI_NOQUOTED_DELIMITER as follows:

%let EFI_NOQUOTED_DELIMITER = yes;

#3.
I always add the option GUESSINGROWS with maximum value to make sure all data are read. The option does not exist when I blog first CSV tip on 2009. :)

guessingrows = 2147483647;

CSV with newline

In CSV, fields with embedded newline must be enclosed within double-quote characters.
However, PROC CIMPORT fail to import this kind of CSV.

To conform to the input standard, we can convert the embedded newline into " \par " (see RTF specification), import CSV in SAS dataset using PROC CIMPORT and then convert " \par " back to newline.

Truncate issue when importing CSV file

CSV file is an old common format of information distribution. However, when we read CSV into SAS dataset using PROC IMPORT, the string is truncated sometimes.
The reason is that PROC IMPORT scan only 20 records by default to determine variable attributes. SAS Notes has detailed the steps to solve the issue.

For more information, please see http://support.sas.com/kb/1/075.html.

*Sample code to read CSV;
PROC IMPORT OUT= WORK.DATA 
            DATAFILE= "csv.txt" 
            DBMS=DLM REPLACE;
     DELIMITER='2C'x; 
     GETNAMES=YES;
     DATAROW=2; 
RUN;