As was noted, you don't have to convert them.  You could simply use a format when printing them.    Since your original question asked about converting them to character, you would use a PUT function.   newvar = put(oldvar, 8.3);   The width that you choose ("8" in this example) must be wide enough to include all characters that will be needed:  digits before the decimal point, digits after, the decimal point itself, and a negative sign if needed. ... View more