What is the purpose of the FORMAT statement in PROC PRINT?

The FORMAT statement in PROC PRINT is used specifically to specify the format of variables in the output. This allows you to control how the values of the variables are displayed in the printed output, which can enhance readability and interpretability. For instance, if you want a date variable to be displayed in a specific format (like DDMMYY instead of the default), you would use the FORMAT statement to achieve that.

Utilizing the FORMAT statement helps in providing clarity in the presentation of data, especially when dealing with different types of variables such as dates, currency, or numerical values with specific decimal places. By applying formats, you can ensure that the printed results align with your analytical goals and improve the overall reporting efficacy.