When you use the IMPORT procedure to read an SPSS file that contains a user-defined format with the same name as a SAS format, the following error might occur:

proc import datafile='c:\myfiles\data.sav'
            dbms=sav 
            out=work.test; 
run;

ERROR: Cannot create PROC FORMAT style format 
with the same name as an Institute-supplied format

To avoid this problem, do one of the following:

• Remove the user-defined format.
• Change the name of the variable in SPSS before using PROC IMPORT.
• Remove the format in SAS after running PROC IMPORT.

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: