Columns in Staged Tables
The Columns tab is available from the Properties dialog
box of a staged table. It enables you to view the specific column
metadata for the table. You can use this information to view the types
of data that the staged table includes and understand how computed
columns are formulated.
The following list describes
the information that you can view for each column in a staged table.
Each row on the Columns tab shows the metadata
for a single column of the staged table.
Note: To access the Properties dialog box and Columns tab of a staged table, you can right-click a staged table in the
tree view or in the process flow diagram. However, the properties
that are available differ with each method. For best results, access
the properties from the staged table object in the process flow diagram.
specifies the name
of the column in the staged table. The name of a computed column can
exceed eight characters.
specifies the combination
of functions and mathematical operations that are used to derive a
value for the column. The field is blank unless the column is a computed
column. For more information
about computed columns in staged tables, see Computed Columns in Staged Tables.
specifies the data
type of the column. Valid types are 
icon to the left of the name indicates that the column
is numeric. A pyramid 
icon to the left of the name indicates that the column
contains character data.
Character and Numeric. You can also identify
column types by looking at the Name variable. A round icon to the left of the name indicates that the column
is numeric. A pyramid icon to the left of the name indicates that the column
contains character data.
specifies the SAS informat
that is used (if needed) to read values for the selected column. Informats
are required for reading fixed-width data.
specifies the SAS format
that is used to write values for the selected column. If the staged
table column was instantiated from a template table, the format is
in NLS format when applicable. NLS formats are indicated by NL as
the first two characters in the format column. For more information
about NLS formatting, see National Language Support (NLS).
specifies the name
of the corresponding field in the raw data that is used to populate
this column. External names are the means by which the staging code
maps columns in a staged table to their corresponding variables in
the raw data. Not all columns in a staged or template table have a
predetermined external name. A value is optional in this field for
these columns. However, if the column is associated with an adapter
that uses external names, do not change an external name that is provided. For more information about external names, see Understanding External Names of Staged Tables and Columns.