SG Attribute Map Data Sets

About the SG Attribute Map Data Set

Attribute map data sets are used in the SG procedures to associate data values with visual attributes.

When you have determined which attributes you want to apply to the group data in a graph, you can create an SG attribute map data set. Each observation defines the attributes for a particular data group. An observation uses reserved variable names for the attribute map identifier (ID), the group value (VALUE), and the attributes.

You create the data set using the same methods that you use to create any SAS data set. The main distinctions are that the SG attribute map data set uses reserved keywords for its variable names, and each observation represents the attributes for a particular data group. The most commonly used method for creating data sets is with a DATA step. For more information about the DATA step, see SAS Language Reference: Concepts.

Note: Incorrect data in the attribute map data set can cause the graph to fail. For example, truncated variable values caused by the incorrect variable length being specified results in incorrect data.

Here is an example of an SG attribute map data set called MYATTRMAP. The observations in this data set contain the attribute map identifier (ID), the group value (VALUE), and the attributes (LINECOLOR, FILLCOLOR).

Listing of the SG Attribute Map Data Set MYATTRMAP

The data set has these characteristics:

All variables listed are CHAR variables.
The value of the ID variable, MYID in this case, is referenced in one or more plot statements within the procedure. You can use attribute maps in the SGPLOT, SGPANEL, and SGSCATTER procedures.
The values of the VALUE variable are valid data group values. These values are case sensitive. The data group is assigned in the plot statement with the GROUP= option.
The values for LINECOLOR= and FILLCOLOR= are valid SAS colors. You can specify colors using the same color schemes that are supported by SAS/GRAPH software. For more information, see Color-Naming Schemes in SAS/GRAPH: Reference.

The following output shows a bar chart that uses the MYATTRMAP data set for its pink and blue bar colors. The FILLCOLOR= values determine the color of the bars, and the LINECOLOR= values determine the color of the border edges around the bars.

The chart was produced with the SGPLOT procedure. The name of the data set is referenced in the procedure statement.

Example Output That Uses an SG Attribute Map

This DATA step creates the SG attribute map data set MYATTRMAP. The ID values for the attribute map are MYID.

data myattrmap;
length linecolor $ 9 fillcolor $ 9;
input ID $ value $ linecolor $ fillcolor $;
datalines;
myid  F pink pink
myid  M lightblue lightblue
;
run;

This procedure generates the graph. The SGPLOT statement references the SASHELP.CLASS data set and the ATTRMAP attribute map data set. The plot statement references the attribute map ID (MYID). The options that reference the attribute map (data set and ID) are highlighted.

proc sgplot data=sashelp.class dattrmap=myattrmap;
vbar age / response=height group=sex groupdisplay=cluster attrid=myid;
run;

For more information about the highlighted options that are used in the procedure, see Modify the Procedure to Use the SG Attribute Map Data Set.

You use a standard syntax to specify colors, line thickness, line patterns, and marker symbols. For more information about this syntax, see the following topics:

Specifying Colors in SAS/GRAPH Programs in SAS/GRAPH: Reference
Units of Measurement
Line Patterns
Marker Symbols

Data Sets That Contain Multiple SG Attribute Maps

An SG attribute map data set can contain more than one attribute map. This capability enables you to apply different attribute maps to different group variables in a graph.

When an SG attribute data set contains multiple attribute maps:

The ID variable has more than one value.
The VALUE variable has different values that correspond to different data groups.

In the procedure that generates the graph, the plot statements can specify different attribute map ID values.

Note: Plots that specify different ID values must also specify different groups. A group variable can be associated with only one attribute map ID. If a group is associated with more than one attribute map ID value, the graph produces incorrect attribute mapping and a warning is written to the SAS log.

For an example, see Example: Combine Multiple SG Attribute Maps in a Graph.

Reserved SG Attribute Map Variables

About the Reserved SG Attribute Map Variables

When an SG attribute map data set is processed, the SG procedure looks at the values of specific variables in the SG attribute map data set. The procedure uses these values to associate visual attributes with group data. Variables in the SG attribute map data set have predefined names. In each observation, the procedure looks only for variables with those names. Other variables can be present, but they are ignored.

Variables That Have Style Values

For some variables, you can specify a style element or a style attribute as the value.

Here are examples:

GraphData2 is an example of a style element.
GraphData2:Color is an example of a style attribute.

For more information about style elements, see Style Elements for Use with ODS Graphics.

For a table of the style elements and attributes that you can use with ODS Statistical Graphics, see Style Elements Affecting Template-Based Graphics in SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide. This table contains each style element, the portion of the graph that it affects, and the default attribute values.

Required Reserved Variables

The ID and VALUE variables are required for every SG attribute map data set. If they are not found, a warning is written to the SAS log, and the data set is ignored. The remaining attribute variables are used as applicable to the plot type.

Descriptions of the Reserved Variables

The following list describes each reserved variable.

Note: All variables are of type CHAR, including variables that might contain numeric values.

FILLCOLOR= “color” | “style-attribute”: specifies the fill color. You can specify colors using the same color schemes that are supported by SAS/GRAPH software. For more information, see Color-Naming Schemes in SAS/GRAPH: Reference.

FILLSTYLE= “style-element”: specifies the style element for fill attributes. If you specify the style element, you can also specify the FILLCOLOR variable to override the color.

ID= “text-string”: (required) specifies the ID of the attribute map. This value is referenced from the ATTRID option on one or more plot statements.

Though every observation must have an ID value, different observations can have different values. You might use different values in the data set if you want plots to have different attributes.

LINECOLOR= “color” | “style-attribute”: specifies the color of the line. You can specify colors using the same color schemes that are supported by SAS/GRAPH software. For more information, see Color-Naming Schemes in SAS/GRAPH: Reference.

LINEPATTERN= “line-pattern” | “style-attribute”: specifies a line pattern for lines and outlines. You can reference SAS patterns by number or by name. For a list of line patterns, see Line Patterns.

LINESTYLE= “style-element”: specifies the style element for line attributes. If you specify the style element, you can also specify the LINEPATTERN and LINECOLOR variables to override specific appearance attributes.

MARKERCOLOR= “color” | “style-attribute”: specifies the color for the markers. You can specify colors using the same color schemes that are supported by SAS/GRAPH software. For more information, see Color-Naming Schemes in SAS/GRAPH: Reference.

MARKERSTYLE= “style-element”: specifies the style element for marker attributes. If you specify the style element, you can also specify the MARKERSYMBOL and MARKERCOLOR variables to override specific appearance attributes.

MARKERSYMBOL= “symbol-name” | “style-attribute”: specifies the symbol for the markers. For a list of valid marker symbols, see Marker Symbols.

VALUE= “text-string”: (required) specifies the group data value that is assigned to the attributes. The value must be valid for the data group that is assigned in the plot statement with the GROUP= option. You can provide different values in the data set if your plots specify different group variables.

Note:The value is case sensitive. Each instance of the value must have the exact same capitalization.