Stat Computing > SAS > FAQ				Help the Stat Consulting Group by giving a gift
Loading

SAS FAQ
How do I read a SAS data file when I don't have its format library?

If you try to use a SAS data file that has permanent formats but you don't have the format library, you will get errors like this.

ERROR: The format $MAKEF was not found or could not be loaded.
ERROR: The format FORGNF was not found or could not be loaded.

Without the format library, SAS will not permit you to do anything with the data file.  However, if you use options nofmterr; at the top of your program, SAS will go ahead and process the file despite the fact that it does not have the format library.  You will not be able to see the formatted values for your variables, but you will be able to process your data file.  Here is an example.

OPTIONS nofmterr;
libname in "c:\";

PROC FREQ DATA=in.auto;
   TABLES foreign make;
RUN;

UCLA Researchers are invited to our Statistical Consulting Services
We recommend others to our list of Other Resources for Statistical Computing Help
These pages are Copyrighted (c) by UCLA Academic Technology Services