VFORMATWX Function

Returns the format width that is associated with the value of the specified argument.

Category: Variable Information

Syntax

VFORMATWX (expression)

Required Argument

expression

specifies a character constant, variable, or expression that evaluates to a variable name.

Restriction The value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

Comparisons

  • VFORMATW returns the format width that is associated with the specified variable. VFORMATWX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the format width that is associated with that variable name.
  • VFORMATW does not accept an expression as an argument. VFORMATWX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
  • Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, length, and type, 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 Statement
Result
array x(3) x1-x3;
format x1 best6.;
array vx(3) $6 vx1 vx2 vx3
   ('x1' 'x2' 'x3');
y=vformatwx(vx(1));
put y=;
y=6

See Also

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