An informat is an instruction that the SAS System uses to determine how a data value should be read into a variable. The SAS System provides a set of standard informats and also enables you to define your own custom informats. As an example of a SAS System-supplied informat, the DOLLARw.d informat reads the value $1,200 as 1200, which is the value that is stored in the variable.
For information on creating and applying custom informats, see Chapter 13 of SAS Language and Procedures, Usage 2 and Chapter 18 of SAS Procedures Guide .
Many sites maintain format libraries, which can contain informats, for use by all SAS users at the site. Call your SAS Software Consultant for more information.