What will the format statement control in a plot?

The format statement in SAS primarily influences the appearance of how data is presented in plots and outputs, particularly in relation to the axes. Specifically, it dictates how the values along the axes are displayed, which can include aspects such as number formats (e.g., decimal places, currency symbols), date formats, and general representation of numeric or character data.

This means that when using a format statement for a plot, you are essentially shaping the visual representation of numerical or categorical data shown along the axes. For example, when plotting sales figures on the y-axis, you might want to display these values as currency to enhance readability and context. Similarly, for date-based data on the x-axis, appropriate formatting can make it more interpretable, presenting time-related information accurately.

In contrast to the correct response, other choices focus on elements not directly controlled by the format statement: Color of data points pertains to graphical design aesthetics rather than data formatting; Text font is tied to style settings rather than format statements; while axis appearance covers a broader range of elements including line styles or labels, but the format statement specifically hones in on the value representation rather than such components.