Hi:
If you are dealing with inherited code and you do not want to try to fiddle with it, you do not have a lot of options. The technique shown in Carpenter's book is essentially the technique you will need to use. Another possibility is to pre-summarize the data, as suggested. Yet another option would be to make a "fake" variable in a DATA step program, which would be a duplication of the group or order variable, but you would use if for DISPLAY -- there's an example of this technique shown below.
If you don't want to pre-summarize the data or fiddle with the existing code or use the DATA step technique, then another possible option is to open a track with Tech Support. They will be able to look at your existing code and your data and help you figure out the best way/place to change the existing program.
To open a track with Tech Support, go to:
http://support.sas.com/ctx/supportform/createForm
cynthia
[pre]
** make DISPLAY_AGE and DISPLAY_SEX in a program instead of a ;
** COMPUTE BLOCK.;
data class;
set sashelp.class;
where age in (12, 13);
display_age = age;
display_sex = sex;
run;
ods listing close;
ods html file='show_other_alt.html' style=sasweb;
proc report data=class nowd;
title '1) Default ORDER Usage Behavior';
column age sex name height weight;
define age /order;
define sex / order;
define name / order;
define height /display;
define weight / display;
compute after age;
line ' ';
endcomp;
run;
proc report data=class nowd;
title '2a) Using Display_Age and Display_Sex Variables';
column age sex display_age display_sex name height weight;
define age /order;
define sex / order;
define display_age / display 'Age';
define display_sex / display 'Sex';
define name / order;
define height /display;
define weight / display;
compute after age;
line ' ';
endcomp;
run;
proc report data=class nowd;
title '2b) Using Display_Age and Display_Sex Variables with NOPRINT';
column age sex display_age display_sex name height weight;
define age /order noprint;
define sex / order noprint;
define display_age / display 'Age';
define display_sex / display 'Sex';
define name / order;
define height /display;
define weight / display;
compute after age;
line ' ';
endcomp;
run;
ods html close;
[/pre]