topic Re: Why frequency bands jump here and there? in SAS Procedures

Why frequency bands jump here and there?

Mirisage — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:38 GMT

Hi Forum,

I have taken the freq distribution of a variable named “income” employing this code (for confidentiality I cannot attach the data set).

data want;

length Income_Range $15;

set have;

if Income_ = . then Income_Range='Missing';

else if Income_ <=0 then Income_Range = '<=0';

else if Income_ <=80 then Income_Range ='>0 to <=80';

else if Income_ <=100 then Income_Range ='>80 to <=100';

else Income_Range = '>100';

run;

proc freq data=want;

tables Income_Range;

run;

Question:

However much I tried, the output table comes with “Income_Range” bands being jumped (meaning there are not in sequence).

Could anyone please let me know any reason for this?

The sequence of Income_Range column of above table should have been like below.

Thank you for any help.

Mirisage

Reeza — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:45:08 GMT

That's because your variables are now characters and SAS is sorting it according to the character values, so 'alphabetic' order, which makes sense.

Using a format instead of recoding should solve that, if its an option.

MikeZdeb — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:48:30 GMT

hi ... use a format (as suggested) or add some spaces ...

<=0

> 0 to <=80

> 80 to <=100

>100

Mirisage — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:35:50 GMT

Hi MikeZdeb and Reeza,

Thank you very much for both of your responses.

Now I understand what has happened. Thanks Again.

Regards

Mirisage