When you create variable labels using a LABEL statement, a LABEL= option in an ATTRIB statement, or a LABEL= option in PROC SQL, it might appear that labels are not created if the system option NOLABEL is in effect. The label has in fact been associated, but it is not displayed in any SAS procedure until the system option of LABEL is specified. The NOLABEL system option does not allow SAS procedures to use labels with variables, even if the LABEL option is used within a procedure.

For example, if you create a variable label in a DATA step with the NOLABEL option in effect then run PROC CONTENTS on the data set, the results do not show the label. If you then specify OPTIONS LABEL; and rerun PROC CONTENTS, the variable label is displayed.

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