In PROC PRINT, what is the purpose of the NOOBS option?

The NOOBS option in PROC PRINT is specifically designed to suppress observation numbers from appearing in the output. By default, SAS includes a column of observation numbers that correspond to each row of data when printing datasets. This feature can be useful for identifying specific observations, but there are scenarios, such as when creating reports or when the observation numbers are not relevant, where they may be unnecessary.

Using the NOOBS option effectively removes this column from the printed output, allowing for a cleaner presentation of the data that focuses solely on the variable values without distracting observation numbers. This can enhance readability and improve the aesthetic of the output, particularly if the observation numbers do not add value to the context of the data being presented.