DOCUMENTATION
Sign In

Get access to My SAS, trials, communities and more.

 

VFORMAT Function

Returns the format that is associated with the specified variable.

Categories:Variable Information
CAS
Restriction:Use only with the DATA step
Note:This function supports the VARCHAR type.
Table of Contents
Syntax
Required Argument
Details
Comparisons
Example

Syntax

VFORMAT(variable)

Required Argument

variable

specifies a variable that is expressed as a scalar or as an array reference.

RestrictionYou cannot use an expression as an argument.

Details

If the VFORMAT function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 200.
VFORMAT returns the complete format name, which includes the width and the period (for example, $CHAR20.).

Comparisons

  • VFORMAT returns the format that is associated with the specified variable. VFORMATX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the format that is associated with that variable name.
  • VFORMAT does not accept an expression as an argument. VFORMATX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
  • Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, type, length, among others. For a list, see the Variable Information functions in SAS Functions and CALL Routines by Category.

Example

The following SAS statements produce this result:
SAS Statement
Result
array x(3) x1-x3;
format x1 best6.;
y=vformat(x(1));
put y=;
 
y=BEST6.
Copyright © SAS Institute Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated: March 16, 2017