how to insert an other value in an existing string proc format

[john_sanzone]

Does any one know how to add an "other" entry to an existing SAS proc format.  For example you've already built and stored a format called sex:

proc format;

value $sex

'1' = ‘Female’

'2' = ‘Male’

;

run;

Now instead of re-running the above to include an "other" value can I just insert a new "row" into this that says OTHER=Unknown?

[ballardw]

---

@john_sanzone wrote:

Does any one know how to add an "other" entry to an existing SAS proc format.  For example you've already built and stored a format called sex:

proc format;

value $sex

'1' = ‘Female’

'2' = ‘Male’

;

run;

Now instead of re-running the above to include an "other" value can I just insert a new "row" into this that says OTHER=Unknown?

---

Not if you want the format do display "unknown" .

Run

proc format;
value $sex
'1' = ‘Female’
'2' = ‘Male’
other='Unknown'
;
run;

to modify the format.

There is not much overhead in proc format so rerunning the code shouldn't be much of an issue. Why were you worried about rerunning it?

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

I'm a little too rushed to spell it out in detail, but here's the idea.

Run PROC FORMAT, using the CNTLOUT= option.  That gives you a SAS data set holding all the information needed to generate the format in its current form.

Modify the SAS data set, adding an observation that changes two variables:

HLO='O'

Label = 'Other'

Use the modified data set as input to PROC FORMAT, using the CNTLIN= option.