Using JMP - SAS

Chapter 7 Formula Editor 207
Use Local Variables
3. Click the menu on the formula element browser and select either Table Columns or Table Variables.
Highlight an element from that category’s list. The element is added to the selected box in the formula
editing area.
For an example of referencing a column in a formula, see “Use Basic Formula Editor Features” on page 222.
Note: In a formula, when you reference a column using value labels, hover your mouse over the value label
to see the actual data value.
Use Local Variables
You can create and use temporary numeric variables in expressions. You can use ordinary local variables or
you can use parameters, which are special types of local variables. Local variables exist only for the evaluation
of the formula in which they are defined. They appear in formulas as bold italic terms.
Local variables are most often used with Assignment functions, which can assign expressions to local
variables that are used in a complex equation. (For details, see “Assignment Functions” on page 441 in the
“Formula Functions Reference” chapter.) This technique can sometimes simplify building an equation and
improve the efficiency of its evaluation.
To build a formula that references values found in local variables:
Step 1: Create the Local Variable
1. Open the Formula Editor by right-clicking a column name in the data table and selecting Formula.
2. Select a box in the formula editing area by clicking it. (It is selected when there is a red outline
around it.)
3. Click the menu on the formula element browser and select Local Variables from the formula element
browser menu.
4. Click New Local Variable.
5. Type a name for the local variable. By default, local variables have the names t0, t1, and so on, and have
missing values.
6. Assign a starting value, and click OK.
7. (Optional) To copy, edit, or delete a local variable, right-click (Ctrl-click on the Macintosh) its name
and select Copy, Edit, or Delete.
Step 2: Insert a Local Variable into a Formula
1. Select a term in the formula editing area by clicking it. (It is selected when there is a red outline
around it.)
2. Click the local variable name in the Local Variables list. It appears in the formula as a bold italic term.