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Hello,

Where can I find an overview with all the possibilities of the PICTURE clause?

Thank you.

Picture function

A picture function specifies formatting rules for the entire output string. It must begin with the @ sign followed by one or more letters listed in the table below:

Picture function characters Function Formatting rule

B Formats numbers left-justified
C Adds CR (credit) after positive numbers
D Formats dates in SET DATE format
E Formats dates and numbers in British format
L Pads numbers with zeros instead of blank spaces
R Nontemplate characters are inserted
X Adds DB (debit) after negative numbers
Z Formats zeros as blanks
( Encloses negative numbers in parentheses
! Converts alphabetic characters to uppercase

Picture mask

The picture mask must be separated by a single space from the picture function. When no picture function is used, the picture string is identical with the picture mask. The mask defines formatting rules for individual characters in the output string. Characters from the following table can be used. The position of a character of a picture mask specifies formatting for the character of the output string at the same position. An exception is the @R function which causes non-mask characters being inserted into the output string.

Picture mask characters Charactere Formatting rule

A,N,X,9,# Formats digits for any data type
L Formats logicals as "T" or "F"
Y Formats logicals as "Y" or "N"
! Converts alphabetic characters to uppercase
$ Adds a dollar sign in place of a leading space in a number
* Adds an asterisk in place of a leading space in a number
. Specifies a decimal point position
, Specifies a comma position

Mr. Rao,

Thanks a lot for your help.

All my best wishes for 2020.