Stat Computing > SAS > Code

SAS Code Fragments
Making a Fixed Format File

The example below shows how to apply a format to multiple variables when writing a fixed format raw data file.  You need parentheses around x2-x3 and f1. to tell SAS that these should be grouped together.  Without the parentheses (and try it for yourself!), the f1. format only applies to x3.

data temp0;
  input x1-x3;
cards;
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
;
run;

data _NULL_ ;
  file "rawdata.txt";
  set temp0;
  put x1 F4. (x2-x3) (F1.);
run;

and the result, in "rawdata.txt"  is

   123
   456
   789

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