topic Re: How to update the format name? in SAS Programming

How to update the format name?

Babloo — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 13:27:29 GMT

I'm trying to update the dataset where the below fmtname has stored. I don't know which dataset (I know the library though)has the format definition. when I execute the below code, it has 0 observations.

proc sql;
   create table myfmts as
   select fmtname,libname, memname
   from dictionary.formats
   where fmtname in ('$VA_MAKPRD' '$VA_LEADACTIE_SUBGRP')
   ;
quit;

When I execute the below code, I could see the dataset which I need to update. But 'formats' is not the actual dataset which I need to update. It is just a temporary dataset which I used to see the dataset. Appreciate if someone of you guide me to see the actaul dataset which I need to update.

proc format library=it_rci_s.formats cntlout=work;
run;

Re: How to update the format name?

Ksharp — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 13:48:39 GMT

You already have FORMAT information in table WORK.

modify table WORK. and update FORMAT by

proc format library=it_rci_s cntlin=work;
run;

Re: How to update the format name?

Babloo — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:35:34 GMT

If I change the dataset name from Work to Employee, will it create a
Employee dataset in the library as you mentioned below?

Re: How to update the format name?

ballardw — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:41:02 GMT

@Babloo wrote:
If I change the dataset name from Work to Employee, will it create a
Employee dataset in the library as you mentioned below?

If you are referring to proc format the data set name on the CNTLOUT option is created then the name you supply follows normal SAS rules. If you want the cntlout in that library you have to use cntlout=library.employee, otherwise it will write to WORK or USER.

Since cntlout will write the information about all formats in the catalog to cntlout by default you might be wanting to add a SELECT statement to only include specific format(s) to the output.

Re: How to update the format name?

Babloo — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:54:34 GMT

Whether I have to use the select statement after writing the Proc format?
Appreciate if you could help me with the code snippet.

Re: How to update the format name?

Ksharp — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 12:29:48 GMT

Table EMPLOYEE will still be in WORK library .

proc format just update original format by table EMPLOYEE.