SAS Certification Prep Guide, 4th Edition

Specifying Variables in PROC MEANS

By default, the MEANS procedure generates statistics for every numeric variable in a data set. But the typical focus is on just a few variables, particularly if the data set is large. It also makes sense to exclude certain types of variables. The values of a numeric identifier variable ID, for example, are unlikely to yield useful statistics.

To specify the variables that PROC MEANS analyzes, add a VAR statement and list the variable names.

Syntax, VAR statement: VAR variable(s); variable(s) lists numeric variables for which to calculate statistics.

proc means data=clinic.diabetes min max maxdec=0; 
   var age height weight; 
run;

Figure 9.5 Output with Selected Variables Age, Height, and Weight ...