Order proc freq output in order listed from bands

[Justin9]

Hi,

I currently have the following code:

data bands;

   length band $ 20;

   set test;

   if -30<=Number_difference<-20 then band="-30<=Number difference<-20";

       else if -20<=Number_difference<-10 then band="-20<=Number difference<-10";

       else if -10<=Number_difference<-0 then band="-10<=Number difference<0";

       else if 0<=Number_difference<10 then band="0<=Number difference<10";

       else if 10<=Number_difference<20 then band="10<=Number difference<20";

       else if 20<=Number_difference<30 then band="20<=Number difference<30";

       else band="Other";

run;



proc freq data=bands;

   tables band;

run;

The proc freq gives me the order as follows:

             band

-10<=Number difference<0

-20<=Number difference<-10

-30<=Number difference<-20

0<=Number difference<10

10<=Number difference<20

20<=Number difference<30

Other

However, I would like the proc freq table to be in the order as shown below. Can someone suggest how I could change my code so the output is shown like this please?

                 band

-30<=Number difference<-20

-20<=Number difference<-10

-10<=Number difference<0

0<=Number difference<10

10<=Number difference<20

20<=Number difference<30

Other

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

Don't recode your value at all, use a format instead and it will sort correctly if you apply the format instead.

proc freq data=band;
tables number_difference;
format number_difference diff_band_fmt.;
run;

See the following example on how to create the format. Note that your PROC FORMAT code has to be before your PROC FREQ code.
https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings/proceedings/sugi30/001-30.pdf