What does the FORMAT= option do in a DEFINE statement?

The FORMAT= option in a DEFINE statement is utilized to assign a specific format to a variable within a report created using PROC REPORT in SAS. This option allows the user to control how the data is presented in the output, which can include numerical formats, date formats, or character formats, among others. Utilizing the FORMAT= option ensures that the variable appears in a way that enhances readability and aligns with the reporting requirements, such as displaying numbers with a certain number of decimal places, formatting dates in a specific way, or applying monetary symbols.

For instance, if you apply a dollar format to a variable representing monetary values, the output will show those values preceded by a dollar sign, thus improving clarity for the report's audience. This capability is essential for creating professional and easily interpretable reports.

Other options provided, while relevant to report generation, pertain to different aspects of report customization. Changing the order of rows involves sorting data rather than formatting it, defining column width pertains to the size and layout of the report rather than the data itself, and specifying which variables to display relates to data inclusion rather than how the data is formatted for display.