How do I use a SAS data file with a format library? | SAS FAQ

Say that you have a version 9 SAS data file called auto.sas7bdat and a version 9 format library for it called formats.sas7bcat on your computer in c:\ . You would like to use the formats when you display your data.  Here is an example showing how you can use the formats stored in the format library.

libname in "c:\";
libname library "c:\";

PROC FREQ DATA=in.auto;
   TABLES foreign make;
RUN;

By including the libname library “c:\”; statement, SAS looks for the format library in that location and can access the formats stored in it.