topic Re: Proc Tabulate - Borders in SAS Procedures

Proc Tabulate - Borders

deleted_user — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:32:26 GMT

Hi,

Does anyone know if there is a way to add a bold border around each individual cell in a proc tabulate? I can't seem to find an option in the style = help section.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Proc Tabulate - Borders

Bill — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:31:57 GMT

Dave;

There are at least 3 styles that will do that - analysis, rsvp and torn. HOWEVER: using bold outlines emphasizes the table and de-emphasizes the data in the table. The sole purpose of a table (or a graph) is to let the data tell the story that's in it. May I suggest that you cruise around in http://www.perceptualedge.com and read some very good literature on data visualization. You might like to start with this article - http://www.perceptualedge.com/images/Effective_Chart_Design.pdf

Re: Proc Tabulate - Borders

deleted_user — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:38:24 GMT

Thanks Bill! I agree with what you were saying about de-amphasizing the data. However, the powers-that-be have decided they want a report to look a certain way with shading and borders. I think I worked out a way using

[style = [background = std_dev. borderwidth = border.]]

where I set up proc formats to give the shading and border width.

I'm not sure if there's an easier way, but this seems to work ok.

Thanks again for the help!

Re: Proc Tabulate - Borders

Bill — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:40:56 GMT

Sometimes one has to do both - what they want and what they need. Sometimes they see the light!