Variable Attributes 2.4

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Variable Attributes [14-17]

(Best.) Format

The (Best.) format displays the data as the internal values stored in SAS.

Example

Data DateTime;
Input Date Time;
Format Date yymmdd10. time time5.;
Datalines;
18100 30540
18210 40980
18315 41230
18403 34650
18320 48970
18217 45550
18111 31100
18009 37900
18502 56400
;
Run;

The DATETIME data set above contain a list of date and time.

The Date and Time variable are formatted with the (YYMMDD10.) and the (TIME5.) formats.

Now, let's take a look at how the data looks like with the (Best.) format.

Example

Data DateTime2;
Set DateTime;
Format Date Time Best.;
Run;

The (Best.) format displays the internal values stored in SAS.

It is useful when you need to remove any special formats from a variable.

Exercise

Copy and run the code from the yellow box below:

Proc Format;
Value Ques 
1 = "Strongly Disagree"
2 = "Disagree"
3 = "Neutral"
4 = "Agree"
5 = "Strongly Agree";
Run;

Data Survey;
Input Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4;
Format Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Ques.;
Datalines;
3 1 2 4 5
1 1 1 1 1
5 3 5 5 5
4 5 3 2 2
1 3 5 4 5
2 3 5 4 5
3 4 5 2 3
2 4 1 3 5
5 4 4 4 4
1 1 2 5 4
;
Run;

You have received a data set with the survey results.

The variables Q1 to Q4 are formatted with the (QUES.) format.

However, you need to find out the coded values before conducting the analysis.

Format the variables Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 so that they show the internal values stored in SAS.

Create any data set or variables if needed.

Need some help?

HINT:
A simple (best.) format should do the job.

SOLUTION:
Data Survey2;
Set Survey;
Format Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Best.;
Run;

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