If you are writing DATA step reports now, you are already
using ODS. HTML output, the DATA step output, is routed though ODS
by default. For over 20 years, SAS users have been able to create
highly customized reports as simple LISTING output, which uses a monospace
type font. With the advent of ODS, however, you have a broad range
of choices for printing your customized DATA step reports:
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You can produce DATA step reports
in many different formats, such as HTML, RTF, PS (PostScript), or
PDF.
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You can create the report in multiple
formats at the same time.
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You can also produce the report
in different formats at a later time without rerunning the DATA step.
To take advantage of
these enhanced reporting capabilities, you can combine DATA step programming
with the formatting capabilities of ODS. To create PDF output, for
example, start with the DATA steps tools that you are already familiar
with:
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the DATA _NULL_ statement
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Then, add a few simple
ODS statements and options. In addition, you can choose from several
ODS formatting statements to format the output in other presentation
styles, such as HTML, RTF, and PS.
For more information
about ODS statements, see Introduction to ODS Language Statements.