The %INCLUDE statement can be used to insert the contents of an external file into a SAS program. If a macro definition is stored in an external file, the %INCLUDE statement causes the macro definition to be compiled when it is inserted into the SAS program. The contents of the macro definition are written to the SAS log only if the SOURCE2 option is specified.

When a macro definition is stored as a catalog SOURCE entry, you must compile it before you can call it from a SAS program. You compile a macro that is stored as a catalog SOURCE entry by using the CATALOG access method. This creates a session compiled macro that is deleted at the end of the SAS session. The PROC CATALOG statement enables you to view a list of the contents of a SAS catalog.

To call a macro that is stored in an autocall library, you must specify both the MAUTOSOURCE system options and the SASAUTOS= system option. The SASAUTOS= system option can be set to include multiple pathnames or filerefs. Once these two system options are set, you can call the macro by preceding the macro name with a percent sign.

When you submit a macro definition, SAS creates a session compiled macro and stores it in the temporary SAS catalog Work.Sasmacr. This macro is deleted at the end of the SAS session.

If you store your macro definitions in external files, you can easily share these files with others. Also, you can edit a macro definition that is stored in an external file with any text editor, and you can reuse the macro in other SAS sessions.

The autocall macro facility stores macro definitions — not compiled macros — permanently. The first time an autocall macro is called during a SAS session, the macro is compiled and a session compiled macro is created in Work.Sasmacr. You can have multiple autocall libraries that are concatenated, and you can use the autocall facility in conjunction with the Stored Compiled Macro Facility.

The DOSUBL function uses the values that are found in the Libname and Memname columns concatenated between %Report3 (' and ') to generate a valid macro call.

The DOSUBL function enables the immediate execution of SAS code after a text string is passed. Macro variables that are created or updated during the execution of the submitted code are exported back to the calling environment.