I am using the dataset to create the formats and in that I have coded values itself has "LOW", "HIGH" when i create formats out of it I am getting error "ERROR: These two ranges overlap: ". I gave the Type also as "C" to consider as character format but still sas is treating "LOW" /"HIGH" as key words and treating as range..Kindly help to resolve this. Below is an example dataset created to explain for example. Is there a way to mask this? For all others I am able to create the formats without any issues. /****************************************/ data fmt; retain fmtname "$NRIND"; length start $100. label $100.; start = "ABNORMAL"; label = "abnormal"; type = "C"; output; start = "NORMAL"; label = "normal"; type = "C"; output; start = "HIGH"; label = "high"; type = "C"; output; start = "LOW"; label = "low"; type = "C"; output; run; proc format cntlin=fmt; run;   /****************log************/ 97 proc format cntlin=fmt; ERROR: These two ranges overlap: LOW-LOW and ABNORMAL-ABNORMAL (fuzz=0). ERROR: These two ranges overlap: HIGH-HIGH and NORMAL-NORMAL (fuzz=0). 98 run; WARNING: RUN statement ignored due to previous errors. Submit QUIT; to terminate the procedure. NOTE: PROCEDURE FORMAT used (Total process time): real time 0.00 seconds cpu time 0.00 seconds ... View more