SAS 9.1 Language Reference Dictionary, Volumes 1, 2 and 3
VFORMATNX Function
Returns the format name that is associated with the value of the specified argument
Category: Variable Information
Syntax
VFORMATNX ( expression )
Arguments
expression
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specifies any SAS character expression that evaluates to a variable name.
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Restriction: The value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
Details
If the VFORMATNX 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.
VFORMATNX returns only the format name, which does not include the length or the period (for example, $CHAR).
Comparisons
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VFORMATN returns the format name that is associated with the specified variable. VFORMATNX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the format name that is associated with that variable name.
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VFORMATN does not accept an expression as an argument. VFORMATNX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
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Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, length, and type, among others. For a list, see the 'Variable Information' functions in 'Functions and CALL Routines by Category' on page 270.
Examples
| SAS Statements | Results |
|---|---|
|
array x(3) x1-x3; format x1 best6.; array vx(3) vx1 vx2 vx3 ('x1' 'x2' 'x3'); y=vformatnx(vx(1)); put y=; |
y=BEST |
See Also
Functions:
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'Variable Information' functions in 'Functions and CALL Routines by Category' on page 270