If you apply the NLPCTw.d format to a variable that contains missing values, garbage characters might be displayed in front of the missing values. This behavior occurs when you apply the format in PRINT and SQL procedures.

To circumvent the problem, assign the NLPCTw.d format in a DATA step.

Click the Full Code tab to see sample code that illustrates the problem and the circumvention.

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue.

Operating System and Release Information

/* Create a sample data set */
data a;
   input x;
   datalines;
.
.4
.0001
;
run;

/* Formatting with PROC SQL demonstrates the problem */
proc sql;
   select x format nlpct20.2
   from a;
quit;


/* Formatting with PROC PRINT demonstrates the problem */
proc print data=a;
   format x nlpct20.2;
run;


/* Applying the format inside the DATA step is a circumvention */
data a;
   input x;
   format x nlpct20.2;
   datalines;
.
.4
.0001
;
run;

    Results of PROC SQL                                       
                                                          

                  x
             
 ð              .
              40.00%
               0.01%
 

    Results of PROC PRINT                                      

 Obs                       x

  1     1              .
  2                   40.00%
  3                    0.01%



/* Data set in Viewtable view when DATA step applies the format */

    Obs                       x

  1                        .
  2                   40.00%
  3                    0.01%

                

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.3_M2 is available at: