Format & Label Variables

Purpose

Formats and labels are user-defined tools that provide a convenient way to describe variables and values in your SAS or SUDAAN output. Although adding formats or labels to your variables is optional, it is often helpful when reviewing the output from your analyses. In this module, you will learn how to define and assign format and label variables in your dataset.

Task 1: Define and Assign Format and Label Variables

Formatting and labeling variables in SAS is optional and does not need to be done for all variables in the dataset.  However, it makes your output of SAS or SUDAAN more "readable", which is especially useful for frequently used variables.

• Key Concepts about Formats and Labels in NHANES
• How to Format and Label NHANES Variables

IMPORTANT NOTE

Because the procedure is the same as it would be for any dataset, links to the Continuous NHANES Web Tutorial are provided here for your convenience. If you use the code, please be sure to change it to match the variables in your environmental analytic dataset.