User-defined formats containing nested SAS formats can hang your SAS session. This can occur whether applying the format in the DATA Step using the PUT function or in a procedure with a FORMAT statement.

The example below illustrates the problem.

proc format;
  value missa . = "REMOVETHIS" 
  low-high=[18.10]
;
run;

data new;
  input x;
cards;
1
.
2
.
;
run;

proc print data=new;
  format x missa.;
run;

A possible circumvention for this issue is to assign a width on the FORMAT statement.

A hotfix is planned for this issue.

Operating System and Release Information

Output is a screenshot of SAS session looping

A fix for SAS 9.2 (TS1M0) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.2 (TS1M0) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: