When numeric variables are assigned custom formats but the location of the custom formats is unknown to SAS, the BESTX format is assigned to those variables.

The following steps illustrate an example where the BESTX format is assigned.

1. Submit the following code:
   
   options nofmterr;

     data new;
        x=10.2343;
        y=2;
        z=3.12;
        format x mine.;
        format y again.;
     run;
 

The NOFMTERR system option prevents an error from appearing in the SAS^® log because a custom format is specified for variables X and Y. However, the format definitions are not included.

Also, the CONTENTS procedure does not list the BESTX format.

2. In the Explorer window, open the WORK library and open the data set New by double-clicking the data set name. Right-click either the X or Y column. Then select Column Attributes to see that the BESTX format is assigned: 

If you open the Column Attributes window for variable Z, you see that Z has not been assigned the BESTX format.

3. Submit the following FREQ procedure code:
   
   proc freq data=new;
   run;
   
   In the output, real numbers are truncated to integers only. As shown here, the X value is equal to 10 rather than 10.2343 as expected.

The PROC CONTENTS output for the data set shows the correct custom format names.

If you do not want the BESTX format to be assigned, follow these steps:

1. Remove the NOFMTERR system option.
2. Save your intended format catalog by issuing a LIBNAME statement to the location where the catalog is stored.
3. Name the new libref in the FMTSEARCH= system option.

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