Assigning Formats to Variables (5)

Formatting Variable Values

Assigning Formats to Variables

Keep in mind that formats, even those that are permanently associated, do not affect variable values as they are stored in a SAS data set.

SAS Data Set Perm.Aprbills

Obs LastName DateIn DateOut RoomRate EquipCost Days RoomCharge Total

1 Akron 11052 11056 175 298.45 4 700 998.45

2 Brown 11059 11077 125 326.78 19 2375 2701.78

3 Carnes 11074 11076 125 174.24 2 250 424.24

4 Denison 11058 11059 175 87.41 1 175 262.41

Obs	LastName	DateIn	DateOut	RoomRate	EquipCost	Days	RoomCharge	Total
1	Akron	11052	11056	175	298.45	4	700	998.45
2	Brown	11059	11077	125	326.78	19	2375	2701.78
3	Carnes	11074	11076	125	174.24	2	250	424.24
4	Denison	11058	11059	175	87.41	1	175	262.41

Formats only affect the way that variable values are displayed in output.

Obs LastName DateIn DateOut RoomRate EquipCost Days RoomCharge Total

1 Akron 05APR1990 09APR1990 175.00 298.45 4 700.00 $998.45

2 Brown 12APR1990 01MAY1990 125.00 326.78 19 2,375.00 $2,701.78

3 Carnes 27APR1990 29APR1990 125.00 174.24 2 250.00 $424.24

4 Denison 11APR1990 12APR1990 175.00 87.41 1 175.00 $262.41

Obs	LastName	DateIn	DateOut	RoomRate	EquipCost	Days	RoomCharge	Total
1	Akron	05APR1990	09APR1990	175.00	298.45	4	700.00	$998.45
2	Brown	12APR1990	01MAY1990	125.00	326.78	19	2,375.00	$2,701.78
3	Carnes	27APR1990	29APR1990	125.00	174.24	2	250.00	$424.24
4	Denison	11APR1990	12APR1990	175.00	87.41	1	175.00	$262.41

Accessing SAS System Help for Formats
SAS software provides many predefined formats for your use. SAS System Help includes an online reference of all SAS formats.