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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Programming & Software

Master SAS User-Defined Formats: Take the Quiz

Think you can ace creating and applying user-defined formats in SAS? Take the test now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration for creating and applying user defined SAS Chapter 7 formats on dark blue background

Ready to boost your SAS skills? Dive into our SAS user-defined formats quiz to solidify your expertise in creating user-defined formats in SAS and applying user-defined formats in SAS. Whether you're tackling SAS Chapter 7 formats quiz or following a custom SAS format tutorial, this free challenge will sharpen your knowledge and help you master value-level mapping. Already conquered our macro challenge? Now's the time for a dedicated formatting test that focuses on user-defined formats. Conquer practical use cases, refine your data mapping skills, and gain confidence in customizing reports. Jump in, test yourself, and take your SAS proficiency to the next level - start the quiz today!

Which SAS procedure is used to create user-defined formats?
PROC FORMAT
PROC PRINT
PROC REPORT
PROC FREQ
PROC FORMAT is the SAS procedure specifically designed for defining both formats and informats. It supports VALUE and INVALUE statements to map raw data values to formatted labels. Other procedures such as PROC PRINT or PROC FREQ are used for reporting and analysis, not for defining formats. PROC FORMAT documentation
Which statement within PROC FORMAT is used to create a new format for mapping values to labels?
VALUE
INVALUE
FORMAT
LIBNAME
The VALUE statement in PROC FORMAT is used to define formats that map data values to descriptive labels. The INVALUE statement creates informats (for reading data), while FORMAT applies existing formats to data. LIBNAME defines a library reference, not formats. VALUE statement documentation
How do you apply a user-defined format to a variable in a DATA step?
Use the FORMAT statement
Use the PUT function
Use the LABEL statement
Use the ATTRIB statement
The FORMAT statement in a DATA step associates a variable with a format catalog entry for display. The PUT function converts values to character using a format but does not attach the format metadata. LABEL assigns descriptive labels to variables, not formats. ATTRIB sets variable attributes like length and label, not formats. FORMAT statement documentation
Which option in PROC FORMAT specifies the library where formats are stored permanently?
LIBRARY=
CNTLOUT=
INVALUE
STORE
The LIBRARY= option in PROC FORMAT tells SAS which format catalog to write your formats to, allowing them to persist beyond the WORK library. CNTLOUT exports formats to a SAS data set, not a catalog. INVALUE defines informats, and STORE is used in newer releases for a different catalog style. LIBRARY option documentation
Which code correctly defines a character format named genderfmt that maps 'M' to 'Male' and 'F' to 'Female'?
proc format; value $genderfmt 'M'='Male' 'F'='Female'; run;
proc format; invalue genderfmt 'M'='Male' 'F'='Female'; run;
proc format; value genderfmt 'M'='Male' 'F'='Female'; run;
proc format; value $genderfmt M='Male' F='Female'; run;
Character formats must start with a dollar sign in their names and in the format definition. The VALUE statement is used (not INVALUE), and character literals must be quoted when mapping. Missing the $ or using INVALUE will result in errors or unintended informats. Character format examples
How would you define an age grouping format with ranges 0–17='Child', 18–64='Adult', and 65–High='Senior'?
proc format; value agegrp 0-17='Child' 18-64='Adult' 65-high='Senior'; run;
proc format; invalue agegrp 0 to 17 'Child' 18 to 64 'Adult' 65 to high 'Senior'; run;
proc format; value agegrp '0-17'='Child' '18-64'='Adult' '65-high'='Senior'; run;
proc format; value agegrp 0-18='Child' 19-65='Adult' 66-high='Senior'; run;
In VALUE statements, a hyphen defines numeric ranges and HIGH represents the maximum value. The syntax 0-17='Child' correctly covers ages 0 through 17. INVALUE is for informats, and quoting ranges or misaligning endpoints will not work. Range specifications in formats
How do you apply a stored user-defined format in PROC PRINT?
Use a FORMAT statement, e.g., format age agegrp.;
Use a PUT statement, e.g., put age agegrp.;
Use a LABEL statement, e.g., label agegrp='Age Group';
Use an ATTRIB statement with FORMAT= option
In PROC PRINT, the FORMAT statement applies formats to variables for output. You specify the variable followed by the format name and a period. PUT is a DATA step function, LABEL only assigns variable labels, and ATTRIB sets attributes permanently in data sets. PROC PRINT FORMAT usage
Which function would you use to create a new character variable with formatted values inside a DATA step?
PUT
INPUT
FORMAT
LABEL
The PUT function applies a specified format to a variable and returns the result as a character string, which can be assigned to a new variable. INPUT converts character to numeric using an informat. FORMAT attaches a format to a variable for display. LABEL assigns descriptive labels, not formatted values. PUT function details
Which PROC FORMAT statement is used to create an informat for custom reading of data values?
INVALUE
VALUE
FORMAT
CNTLIN
The INVALUE statement in PROC FORMAT defines informats, mapping raw data values to numeric values during input. The VALUE statement creates formats for output. FORMAT is a procedure keyword, not a statement here, and CNTLIN reads a data set for multiple format definitions. INVALUE statement documentation
What option allows you to create multi-label (overlapping) formats in PROC FORMAT?
MULTILABEL
MLF
OVERLAP
NOLIST
The MULTILABEL option enables formats where a single data value can match multiple ranges or labels, which is especially useful in PROC TABULATE. Without MULTILABEL, overlapping ranges would cause errors. MLF and OVERLAP are not valid PROC FORMAT options. MULTILABEL option details
How would you define a PICTURE format named zipfmt to display 5-digit ZIP codes with leading zeros?
proc format; picture zipfmt low-high='00000'; run;
proc format; value zipfmt '00000'; run;
proc format; picture zipfmt '#####'; run;
proc format; picture zipfmt 0-99999='ZIP:00000'; run;
A PICTURE statement uses a template like '00000' to pad numeric values with leading zeros. Specifying LOW-HIGH ensures it applies to the full numeric range. VALUE statements cannot create picture formats, and other templates like '#####' do not pad zeros. PICTURE statement documentation
How do you include missing numeric values in a custom format so they display as 'Missing'?
value myfmt .='Missing';
value myfmt MISS='Missing';
value myfmt ''='Missing';
invalue myfmt .='Missing';
In a VALUE statement, specifying .='Missing' maps all special and user-defined missing values to the label 'Missing'. You can also map specific missing codes (.A–.Z) if needed. MISS and empty strings are not valid for numeric missing. INVALUE is for informats, not formats. Handling missing values in formats
When using the CNTLIN= data set in PROC FORMAT to build formats, which variable is required to specify the format name?
FMTNAME
NAME
LIBNAME
START
In the CNTLIN= data set, FMTNAME is the required variable that indicates the name of the format to create. START and END define the value ranges, LABEL assigns the formatted values, but FMTNAME must be present. NAME and LIBNAME are not recognized in this context. CNTLIN data set structure
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand SAS User-Defined Formats -

    Gain clarity on naming conventions, format types, and syntax essentials as covered in the SAS user-defined formats quiz.

  2. Create Custom Formats in SAS -

    Learn how to define and build custom formats using PROC FORMAT in line with best practices from the custom SAS format tutorial.

  3. Apply User-Defined Formats to Data -

    Practice applying user-defined formats in SAS Chapter 7 formats quiz style scenarios to accurately present and categorize your data.

  4. Manage and Store Formats Efficiently -

    Discover strategies for saving formats in permanent libraries and loading them for reuse across multiple SAS sessions.

  5. Troubleshoot Common Formatting Errors -

    Identify and resolve syntax and application errors in creating and applying user-defined formats in SAS to ensure error-free workflows.

Cheat Sheet

  1. PROC FORMAT Essentials -

    Mastering PROC FORMAT is the cornerstone of the SAS user-defined formats quiz; it introduces the VALUE and PICTURE statements for mapping raw data to custom labels. Remember the mnemonic "VAP" (VALUE, ASSIGN, PICTURE) to recall the three core syntax elements. According to SAS Institute documentation, using clear format names - like FY23_Score - boosts readability and maintainability.

  2. Character vs. Numeric Formats -

    When creating user-defined formats in SAS, always prefix character formats with a dollar sign (e.g., $GRADE) and leave numeric formats unprefixed for clarity. A quick rule: "$ for Strings, no $ for Things" helps solidify this convention. The official SAS Chapter 7 formats quiz materials emphasize consistent naming to avoid runtime errors.

  3. Storing and Reusing Formats -

    Save permanent formats in a catalog by specifying LIBRARY= in PROC FORMAT, then reference FMTSEARCH= in subsequent sessions to streamline your custom SAS format tutorial workflow. For example, libname myfmts '/data/formats'; proc format library=myfmts; defines reusable formats across projects. University data services sites like UNC recommend this approach for enterprise-wide consistency.

  4. Applying Formats in Data Steps and Procedures -

    Whether you're applying user-defined formats in SAS via a DATA step or in PROC PRINT, the FORMAT statement delivers uniform output styling - e.g., format revenue comma10.2;. Remember "FORMAT before FORMATTING" to always declare formats ahead of analysis. The SAS Institute's procedure guides highlight this step as essential for accurate reporting.

  5. Troubleshooting and Validation Techniques -

    Debug formats using CNTLOUT= to export metadata and verify value mappings, then re-import with CNTLIN= if amendments are needed. Adopt the "DUF" approach - Describe with CONTENTS, Use in test prints, Fix errors - to streamline debugging. IBM's best practices and SAS community forums both recommend this iterative cycle for error-free custom formats.

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