Customized Reports with PROC REPORT in SAS
Customized Reports with PROC REPORT in SAS, when raw data needs to become decision-ready, PROC REPORT in SAS steps in as the ultimate formatting powerhouse.
From simple data views to finely tuned professional summaries, this versatile procedure gives you full control over how your reports are structured and styled.
In this article, you’ll learn how to create both basic and customized reports using PROC REPORT with hands-on examples and real-world scenarios.
🛠️ What Is PROC REPORT?
PROC REPORT
is a flexible reporting tool in SAS that allows you to:
- Display and organize tabular data,
- Filter rows based on specific conditions,
- Customize headers, formatting, and alignment.
If you’ve ever needed a personalized summary for stakeholders, clients, or internal use, this is the tool for the job.
📥 Getting Started: Basic Syntax
Here’s your entry point:
sas
/* Basic report */
proc report data=my_data;
run;
This produces a simple report showing all dataset rows as-is—great for quick reviews.
🧪 Sample Data for Illustration
We’ll use player stats from NBA teams:
sas
/* Sample dataset */
data my_data;
input team $ points rebounds conf $;
datalines;
Celtics 12 5 East
Celtics 14 7 East
Celtics 15 8 East
Celtics 18 13 East
Mavs 31 12 West
Mavs 32 6 West
Mavs 35 4 West
Mavs 36 10 West
Mavs 40 12 West
;
run;
/* Preview dataset */
proc print data=my_data;
🎯 Creating a Targeted Report for a Specific Team
Let’s tailor the report to highlight Dallas Mavericks (Mavs) performance:
sas
/* Customized report */
title 'Player Statistics for Dallas Mavericks';
proc report data=my_data;
where team='Mavs';
column conf team points;
define conf / display 'Conference' center;
run;
🧠 Breakdown of Key Statements:
Component | Purpose |
---|---|
title | Adds a report header |
where | Filters dataset to ‘Mavs’ |
column | Selects columns to display and sets order |
define | Formats specific columns (e.g., label and alignment) |
🌟 Why Go Custom?
Custom reports deliver clarity. Compared to the default output, this version:
- Highlights only relevant rows,
- Includes a clean title,
- Centers content for readability,
- Excludes non-essential columns.
It’s not just about looking good—it’s about delivering precision.
🔍 Power Tips for PROC REPORT
- Add summaries and groupings using
break
,compute
, orgroup
options. - Export your reports directly to PDF, HTML, or Excel.
- Combine with macro variables for dynamic headings and filters.
✅ Final Takeaway
PROC REPORT
isn’t just another reporting tool—it’s your ticket to sharp, actionable insights. Whether you’re working on business dashboards or scientific reports, use its customization capabilities to shape your data story.
If you’re ready to level up your SAS reporting game, start experimenting with DEFINE
, BREAK
, and COMPUTE
statements—and watch your reports go from raw to refined.