Exporting SAS data set while preserving formats using proc datasets

[robbie94]

I am working with a large dataset that contains a lot of confusing codes. I have formatted these codes as simple words to make it easier for individuals who may analyze the data later on to understand. When I create these formats and export them, I notice in the exported SAS datafile that none of the formats are preserved. I have been using the following code to export my data:

libname out '\C:\data\etc';

proc datasets library=work nodetails nolist;
copy in=work out=out;
select mydata;
run;quit;

Is there anyway that I can export as a SAS data set and preserve my formats? I have seen countless ways to do this with excel data using the proc export procedure, but I can't use proc export to create .sas7bdat files. 

[ChrisNZ]

Your explanation is probably incomplete.
Format assignments are copied along when a data set is copied.

data kk; 
  format d date.;
run;
proc datasets noprint; 
  copy in=work out=data_rw;
  select kk;
run;
proc contents data=data_rw.kk; 
run;
 

SAS Output

The CONTENTS Procedure

Data Set Name	DATA_RW.KK	Observations	1
Member Type	DATA	Variables	1
Engine	V9	Indexes	0
Created	31/07/2018 11:50:54	Observation Length	8
Last Modified	31/07/2018 11:50:54	Deleted Observations	0
Protection		Compressed	NO
Data Set Type		Sorted	NO
Label
Data Representation	WINDOWS_64
Encoding	wlatin1 Western (Windows)

Alphabetic List of Variables and Attributes
#	Variable	Type	Len	Format
1	d	Num	8	DATE.

Please give more details.

[Kurt_Bremser]

If you use custom formats, you need to supply the defined formats along with your dataset.

How you do that depends on how "far" you want to send your datasets.

[Tom]

Send the format definitions along with the dataset.

Preferable as source code for the PROC FORMAT step to create them.

If not that then as a dataset that can be used to generate them using PROC FORMAT with the CNTLIN= option.

Or if you have to as an exported transport file made with PROC CPORT.