Proc Format didn't work?

[ybz12003]

Hello, 

I have a format code before Proc Freq.  However, an error message was shown in the log. Does the format only work in the numeric variables? Please help.

proc format;
	value eot_test_ce1 '82160-3'='Adenovirus' '82161-1'='Cov HKU1' '82162-9'='CoV NL63' '82163-7'='CoV 229E';
run;

Proc freq data=Sample.;
 table spec_id*eot_test_ce1 / nopercent norow nocol;
 format eot_test_ce1 eot_test_ce1.;
run;

ERROR: The format EOT_TEST_CE was not found or could not be loaded.
MPRINT(AAA): format eot_test_ce1 eot_test_ce1.;
MPRINT(AAA): run;

[Astounding]

When  you create a format, the name of the format cannot end with a number.  Change the name slightly and the program should work:

proc format;
	value eot_test_ce1_ '82160-3'='Adenovirus' '82161-1'='Cov HKU1' '82162-9'='CoV NL63' '82163-7'='CoV 229E';
run;

Proc freq data=Sample.;
 table spec_id*eot_test_ce1 / nopercent norow nocol;
 format eot_test_ce1 eot_test_ce1_.;
run;

[Kurt_Bremser]

ERROR: The format EOT_TEST_CE was not found or could not be loaded.

seems to indicate that SAS was looking for a numeric format (no $ at the beginning of the format name), while you try to create a character format.

Big hint: always fix your codes top down. The first ERROR, WARNING or unexpected NOTE is the most important one. All others might be a consequence.

[ballardw]

Also, if the value is character the format name has to start with a $ .

You LOG would also have shown this for the proc format code:

64   proc format;
65      value eot_test_ce1 '82160-3'='Adenovirus' '82161-1'='Cov HKU1' '82162-9'='CoV NL63'
65 ! '82163-7'='CoV 229E';
ERROR: The format name EOT_TEST_CE1 ends in a number, which is invalid.
NOTE: The previous statement has been deleted.
66   run;

Replacing the final digit is not sufficient either because the values you provide are not compatible with a numeric format which the assigned behavior if the format does not start with a $.

67   proc format library=work;
68      value eot_test_ce '82160-3'='Adenovirus' '82161-1'='Cov HKU1' '82162-9'='CoV NL63'
68 ! '82163-7'='CoV 229E';
ERROR: The quoted string '82160-3' is not acceptable to a numeric format or informat.
NOTE: The previous statement has been deleted.
69   run;

[ybz12003]

eot_test_ce1 is charater variable

 Changed to 

format eot_test_ce1 eot_test_ce1_.;

Still did not work

ERROR: The format EOT_TEST_CE1_ was not found or could not be loaded.
MPRINT(AAA): format eot_test_ce1 eot_test_ce1_.;
MPRINT(AAA): run;

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

Which part of CHARACTER formats start with $ did you miss?

proc format ;
	value $eot_test_ce1_ '82160-3'='Adenovirus' '82161-1'='Cov HKU1' '82162-9'='CoV NL63' '82163-7'='CoV 229E';
run;

and

format eot_test_ce1 $eot_test_ce1_.;