VLABEL Function

Returns the label that is associated with the specified variable.

Category: Variable Information
Restriction: Use only with the DATA step

Syntax

VLABEL (var)

Required Argument

var

specifies a variable that is expressed as a scalar or as an array reference.

Restriction You cannot use an expression as an argument.

Details

If the VLABEL function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 200.
If there is no label, VLABEL returns the variable name.

Comparisons

  • VLABEL returns the label of the specified variable or the name of the specified variable, if no label exists. VLABELX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the label that is associated with that variable name, or the variable name if no label exists.
  • VLABEL does not accept an expression as an argument. VLABELX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
  • VLABEL has the same functionality as CALL LABEL.
  • Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, informat, and format, among others. For a list, see the Variable Information functions in SAS Functions and CALL Routines by Category.

Example

The following SAS statements produce this result.
SAS Statements
Results
array x(3) x1-x3;
label x1='Test1';
y=vlabel(x(1));
put y=;
y=Test1

See Also

Functions:
Variable Information functions in SAS Functions and CALL Routines by Category