Setting the NODATA Character String

In a report, the NODATA character string indicates no data or inapplicable data. The default NODATA character is a period. However, you can change this character designation.

Set the NODATA String

SET NODATA = string

where:

string

Is the character string used to indicate missing data in reports. The default string is a period (.). The string may be a maximum of 11 characters. Common choices are NONE, N/A, and MISSING.

Setting NODATA Not to Display Characters

If you do not want any characters, issue the command: 

SET NODATA = ' '

Setting the NODATA Character String

In the following request, the NODATA character string is set to MISSING. The word MISSING displays on the report instead of the default period. 

SET NODATA=MISSING
 
TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT CURR_SAL BY LAST_NAME BY FIRST_NAME
ACROSS DEPARTMENT
END

The output is:

                             DEPARTMENT                      
                                  MIS              PRODUCTION
LAST_NAME        FIRST_NAME                                  
-------------------------------------------------------------
BANNING          JOHN                MISSING       $29,700.00
BLACKWOOD        ROSEMARIE        $21,780.00          MISSING
CROSS            BARBARA          $27,062.00          MISSING
DAVIS            ELIZABETH              $.00          MISSING
GARDNER          DAVID               MISSING             $.00
GREENSPAN        MARY              $9,000.00          MISSING
IRVING           JOAN                MISSING       $26,862.00
JONES            DIANE            $18,480.00          MISSING
MCCOY            JOHN             $18,480.00          MISSING
MCKNIGHT         ROGER               MISSING       $16,100.00
ROMANS           ANTHONY             MISSING       $21,120.00
SMITH            MARY             $13,200.00          MISSING
                 RICHARD             MISSING        $9,500.00
STEVENS          ALFRED              MISSING       $11,000.00