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Declaration Statements

CAUTION:

Creating ODS statistical graphics is an experimental feature that is available in Version 9.1. Do not use this part of the TEMPLATE procedure in production jobs.

The declaration statements in an ODS statistical graph definition are the same as the declaration statements that you use in a table, column, header, or footer definition. You can define dynamic and macro variables, or provide descriptive information by using the following type of declaration statements:

• You can define dynamic variables by using the DYNAMIC statement.

  Dynamic variables are dynamically created within SAS. These variables are dynamic because they are not defined by ODS, but rather the variables are defined by the SAS procedure. Dynamic variables are listed by using the DYNAMIC statement.

  ODS resolves the value of the variable when it binds the definition and the data component. A dynamic variable that is defined in an ODS statistical graph definition is available to that graph definition.

• You can define macro variables by using the MVAR and NMVAR statements.

  You can define a symbol that references a macro variable by using the MVAR and NMVAR statements. The MVAR statement defines a symbol that references a character macro variable, and the NMVAR statement defines a symbol that references a numeric macro variable. References to the macro variable are resolved when ODS binds the definition and the data component to produce an output object.

  You can add text to an ODS statistical graph definition that explains the macro variable's use. Unlike SAS comments that do not become part of the compiled definition, the text that you add to your graph definition becomes part of the compiled definition, which you can view with the SOURCE statement. For information about the SOURCE statement, see SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide.

• You can provide descriptive information about the ODS statistical graph definition by using the NOTES statement.

  Unlike SAS comments that do not become part of the complied definition, the information that you provide in a NOTES statement becomes part of the compiled definition. You can view an ODS statistical graph definition with the SOURCE statement. For information about the SOURCE statement, see SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide.

If you are using ODS Graphics for the first time, begin by reading the section about statistical graphics and ODS in SAS/STAT User's Guide, which illustrates the use of ODS Graphics, and provides general information on managing your graphics. Additional examples are given in the sections for procedures that use ODS Graphics in SAS 9.1.

Note:   For definitions of terms used in this section, see Terminology.