Overview: VBAR Statement

The VBAR statement creates a Pareto chart with vertical bars representing the frequencies of problems in a process or operation. A vertical Pareto chart has one horizontal axis on which the Pareto categories are listed. The primary vertical axis appears on the left side of the chart and is used to read the lengths of the bars on the chart. The secondary vertical axis is on the right of the chart and is used to read the cumulative percent curve.


You have three alternatives for producing Pareto charts with the VBAR statement:

  • ODS Graphics output is produced if ODS Graphics is enabled, for example by specifying the ODS GRAPHICS ON statement prior to the PROC statement.

  • Otherwise, traditional graphics are produced by default if SAS/GRAPH® is licensed.

  • Legacy line printer charts are produced when you specify the LINEPRINTER option in the PROC statement.

See Chapter 3, SAS/QC Graphics, for more information about producing these different kinds of graphs.