Easing into Data Exploration, Reporting, and Analytics Using SAS Enterprise Guide

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1 Paper Easing int Data Explratin, Reprting, and Analytics Using SAS Enterprise Guide ABSTRACT Marje Fecht, Prwerk Cnsulting Whether yu have been prgramming in SAS fr years, are new t it, r have dabbled with SAS Enterprise Guide befre, this hands-n wrkshp sheds sme light n the depth, breadth, and pwer f the Enterprise Guide envirnment. With all the demands n yur time, yu need pwerful tls that are easy t learn and deliver end-t-end supprt fr yur data explratin, reprting, and analytics needs. Included are the fllwing: data explratin tls frmatting cde cleaning up after yur cwrkers enhanced prgramming envirnment (and hw t calm it dwn) easily creating reprts and graphics prducing the utput frmats yu need (XLS, PDF, RTF, HTML, PPT) wrkspace layut prductivity tips. This wrkshp uses SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1, but mst f the cntent is applicable t earlier versins. INTRODUCTION As an analyst, yu prbably need t prvide actinable insights t enable effective decisin making. With all f the demands n yur time, yu need pwerful tls that are quick t learn and deliver end-t-end supprt fr yur analytics needs. SAS Enterprise Guide prvides yu with a wealth f tls t help yu easily turn all that data int useful infrmatin. This paper will help yu understand: What tls are available fr explring and understanding yur data Hw t use the tls fr data explratin, analytics, reprting, and presentatin Hw t easily create a variety f utput frmats t display yur results Hw t custmize the envirnment t imprve yur prductivity. Because f the flexibility f SAS Enterprise Guide, there are usually many paths yu can take, and tls yu can use t accmplish the same tasks. This presentatin describes a few, but nt all, appraches t each task. 1

2 EXPLORING AND UNDERSTANDING YOUR DATA Hw can yu easily get a feel fr yur data? Perhaps yu eyeball the data, OR if yu are a SAS Prgrammer, yu may run a series f Prcedures like CONTENTS, FREQ, SUMMARY, GCHART, GPLOT, SGPLOT, SGSCATTER, etc.. But, there is a much easier and mre effective apprach! QUICK AND EASY LOOK AT THE DATA My first stp with any new set f data is the SAS Enterprise Guide Data Explrer, which enables yu t: View all r a prtin f yur detail data Easily create charts and graphs t explre the variables, and quickly highlight pssible issues and utliers Highlight the tp 10 values f variables And prduce many ther statistics f yur chsing. Hw d yu access the Data Explrer? There are multiple ways t access the Data Explrer (File Open Data Explratin) but my preference is: In the Server List windw, yu can view a list f the available servers, libraries, and SAS files. Use the plus sign (+) t expand the Servers and Libraries, and navigate t the dataset f interest Right click n the dataset and select Explrer Tip: If yu want t Explre Temprary (WORK) datasets OR if yu are wrking with LARGE data - see the tricks in the FAQ at Nte: The Data Explrer ptins are nrmally cnfigured t limit the number f rws and clumns that are available (by default). Once yu are in the explrer windw, yu can: Apply filters t cntrl which variables and rws yu view Request Quick Stats, t view charts, plts, summary statistics, and mre Custmize the envirnment t cntrl Usage with large data Statistics that appear by default fr character, numeric, date/time, and currency variables. Just select the Select Statistics tl in the Quick Stats view. And many ther ptins (SAS Enterprise Guide has A LOT f ptins!!). 2

3 T illustrate sme f the features, see Figure 1 t view a prtin f the data in SASHELP.HEART and ntice: Icns next t variable name describing the data type (numeric, character, currency, date) Quick Stats view n the right Tls let yu cntrl data display (rws, clumns) Select Statistics lets yu chse the default graphics and statistics t display fr each f the 4 data types Fr Character variables, the default statistics include: # f distinct values Cunt Vertical Bar chart shwing frequencies Tp Distinct values including frequencies fr each (up t Tp 10) Ntice that numeric variables have different default statistics. Figure 1 - Data Explrer - with Quick Stats n all variables 3

4 If yu click n ne f the graphics r tables in the Quick Stats view, it magnifies. Figure 2 - Frequency Chart fr AgeCHDdiag DIG DEEPER FIND THE ISSUES AND ANOMALIES In the Data Explrer, yu can fcus in n areas f cncern by using the Filters t explre subsets f data. The filters can be defined either in the Data View List view in the right pane, r by selecting the filter tl in the clumn f interest. When yu apply filters, and rerun Quick Stats, the statistics represent just the subset f data s that yu can fcus in t find issues and anmalies. TIP: SAS desn t APPLY the filters (select clumns, subset data, srt) until yu select Apply Updates. 4

5 In additin t the Data Explrer fr reviewing yur data, filtering, and viewing subsets f data, there are many built-in Enterprise Guide tasks t easily accmmdate further data investigatins. Select Tasks Brwse frm the menu bar, t select frm a large selectin f built-in tasks. N Cding required! Tasks prvide easy access t the tls yu need t explre, summarize, visualize, analyze, reprt, and s n. Yu can access tasks by Categry, Name, Prcs, and even visual representatins. Figure 3 Tasks The task infrmatin includes the underlying SAS Prcedure, if applicable. This can be useful if yu need additinal dcumentatin n hw the prcedure handles data, methdlgies, etc. If yu want univariate descriptins f all f yur variables, similar t the Data Explrer results, select Tasks Describe Characterize Data... The Characterize Data Wizard will step yu thru the selectins and prduce results that can easily be printed r saved fr later usage. 5

6 EASILY CREATING REPORTS AND GRAPHICS T help yu understand the underlying relatinships in yur data, SAS Enterprise Guide prvides extensive graphics and analytics capabilities, thrugh the built-in tasks. SCATTERPLOT MATRIX Fr example, suppse yu want t explre the relatinships between 4 f the variables in the heart data, fr different subsets f data. Yu can prduce a Scatter Plt Matrix and easily cntrl the features f the graphic. T get started, select Tasks Graph Scatter Plt Matrix... Ntice that the task lets yu specify filters, variables t include in the scatter plt matrix, gruping variable (separate pltting symbls fr each grup), and even gives yu the ptin f including a Histgram alng the diagnal t better understand the distributin f each variable. Figure 4 - Scatter Plt Matrix t explre relatinships between variables Behind the scenes, this task generates a prgram which uses PROC SGSCATTER. Fr the tasks that generate SAS cde, yu can view the cde (select Preview Cde), learn frm the cde, save it as part f ther prgrams, and add additinal ptins t yur cde that the task might nt enable. Ntice the Help buttn. Every task has help t guide yu thrugh the chices and capabilities s that yu can use the task effectively. 6

7 When yu select Run, the task will prduce yur Scatter Plt matrix. Ntice: Histgram fr each variable alng the diagnal Scatter plt f each pair f variables Pltting symbl represents the gruping variable Weight Status Additinal tabs can be pened t view SAS cde that is created fr the task Lg with any messages If yu need t make changes t yur selectins, select Mdify Task Yu can exprt the results in a variety f frmats. This will be discussed later in this paper. Figure 5 - Scatter Plt describing the relatinships between pairs f variables 7

8 That was easy wasn t it?? What ther ways can yu visualize yur data in SAS Enterprise Guide? Depending n the versin yu are using, there are a lt f additinal Graph Tasks. Figure 6 - Graph Tasks - chices are versin dependent Similar t Figure 5, the tasks abve prvide yu with a variety f selectins t specify yur chices fr data, variables, ptins, utput custmizatin, and mre. VERTICAL BAR CHART Perhaps yu wuld like t use a simple vertical bar chart t describe yur data, but yu are nt familiar with the SAS/GRAPH cde yu wuld need? Let SAS write the cde fr yu! Select Tasks Graph Bar Chart frm the main menu. This pens the Bar Chart Wizard. In the Bar Chart screen, duble click n Simple Vertical Bar In the Task Rles screen (accessible by selecting Data (secnd item in far left): change the Data surce, by selecting Edit (upper right f windw) Brwse and then chse Lcal Libraries SASHELP Shes OK 8

9 Drag Regin t Clumn t Chart Drag Sales t Sum f. In the Appearance Layut Screen, uncheck the 2D bx and then change the Shape t Prism frm the drp dwn list In the Titles screen Click n Graph Uncheck Use Default Text and enter yur wn title fr yur graph. T see what cde was generated, click n Preview Cde. Clse the Cde Preview Windw Click n Run t create the Bar Chart The bar chart pens autmatically in a new Tab in yur Enterprise Guide sessin. Figure 7 Vertical Bar Chart - Ntice tabs that are available In additin t viewing the Bar Chart, ntice that there are als tabs fr the input data, cde, and lg. Additinally, the Cntext Menu allws yu t easily Mdify Task if yu have changes t make. 9

10 The Cde tab displays the prgram that was created t prduce the Bar Chart, and there are many visual cues t help with cde readability and understanding. Cde clratin helps yu view pssible cde issues (try remving a semicln r qute and watch the clr adjust) SAS Dcumentatin displays when yu hver yur muse ver keywrds (Figure 9). Figure 8 Dcumentatin Displays Easily 10

11 TASKS ARE FUN, BUT LET S BORROW THE CODE AND MAKE CHANGES If yu wuld like t cpy this cde as a starting pint fr yur prgrams, yu can save the generated cde, and then make mdificatins. Select the cde tab (see figure 9) Select the AXIS, GOPTIONS, TITLE, and FOOTNOTE statements and the PROC GCHART statements up t the RUN; statement Right click anywhere in the highlighted cde, and select Cpy Select File New Prgram Paste the cpied cde int the new (empty) Prgram Tab (Figure 10). Figure 9 Creating a New Prgram 11

12 PRODUCTIVITY TIPS FOR PROGRAMMING IN ENTERPRISE GUIDE A few pinters abut wrking with a Prgram in Enterprise Guide: Ntice the * in the Prgram Tab abve; it is a reminder t save the mst recent changes. T Save yur prgram, select the Save dwn arrw, and select Save As. Specify a name and lcatin fr yur prgram. The * will disappear and the prgram name will appear abve the tab. Cde generated by Tasks nrmally creates a temprary view f yur data. In Figure 10, ntice PROC GCHART uses WORK.SORTTempTableSrted. Update the dataset name when creating yur wn prgram. Many prductivity tls are available fr prgrammers including: Cde cmpletin (see figure 11) fr Data Set Name cmpletin Parentheses matching Syntax suggestins. Figure 10 Cde Cmpletin - fr Libraries and Data Set Names 12

13 Have yu ever inherited prly frmatted cde? If yur cde lacks indentatin, white space, and readable frmatting, let Enterprise Guide fix it fr yu. Right Click and select Frmat Cde. Figure 11 Prly Frmatted cde - hw t fix? Figure 12 Nicely frmatted cde - thanks t Enterprise Guide Hw d yu adjust hw the editr features wrk, r turn them ff? Tls Optins SAS Prgram Editr Optins. Select the Autcmplete Tab t change hw the autcmplete features wrk r the Indenter tab t change frmatting features. 13

14 Hw can I view multiple cmpnents f my prject at the same time? Wuld yu like t be able t view yur PROGRAM at the same time yu are viewing yur BAR CHART? I ften find it helpful t understand hw the ptins and statements cntrl utput cmpnents by viewing the prgram alngside the graph. Enterprise Guide prvides many ways t change yur wrkspace layut, including: View Wrkspace Layut Side by Side (Figures 14 and 15) Figure 13 Wrkspace Layut Figure 14 Side By Side view f Chart and Prgram 14

15 Yu may find it useful t view tw sectins f the SAME prgram, side by side. T accmplish that, right click in yur prgram and select Split t be able t view tw parts f the SAME prgram Figure 15 Viewing the tp and bttm f a prgram at the same time What abut versin cntrl, fr my prgrams? SAS implemented standard surce cntrl management int Enterprise Guide 7.1. Curius abut what changes yu, r smene else has made in yur prgram? Yu can view Prgram Histry. chse which prgrams t cmpare r cmmit. Integrate with a GIT repsitry Fr a detailed explanatin, see latest-features-fr-sas-enterprise-guide-7.1?autstart=true. Hw can I see what macr variables are in my envirnment, and what their values are? Use the new Macr Variable Viewer! Tls SAS Macr Variable Viewer 15

16 PROCESS FLOW WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO I CARE? As yu cntinue using tasks t build yur stry, SAS Enterprise Guide keeps tracks f the steps, and yur results in a prcess flw. This prcess Flw can be saved as an Enterprise Guide Prject s that yu can Easily dcument the steps yu tk Use the Prject as a starting pint later t cntinue with the current analysis, r, apply the flw t ther data Share yur prject with ther team members fr their use. T view yur Prcess Flw, select View Prcess Flw. Figure 17 shws an example Prcess Flw prduced by the steps taken n the HEART data in this paper. T save this as a prject, select Save Prject as. This will create a file f type EGP which can be shared r serve as yur starting pint in yur next sessin. Figure 16 - Prcess Flw - 2 tasks and their results, using the HEART data Additinally, yu can create Prject Prmpts t generalize the prject s that yu can custmize future results by changing data set names, time frames, variables, ptins, etc. 16

17 PRESENTING THE RESULTS A challenge we all face is getting ur results int a presentable frmat. SAS Enterprise Guide prvides a variety f utput frmats fr viewing r saving the results f tasks, as well as an excellent tl t pull results tgether int a single reprt template. Mst results within Enterprise Guide can be: Exprted t HTML, XML, r PDF - select Exprt Sent t WORD, EXCEL, PPT - select Send T Saved as a reprt in the Enterprise Guide envirnment. - select Create. Yu can als use Tls Optins Results t cntrl the frmat f all results that yu prduce custmize the frmats and prperties f the different result frmats. If yu wuld like t use Enterprise Guide t assemble multiple pictures and tables int a single lcatin, select File New Reprt, select the reprts frm thse yu have created, and begin assembling yur reprt. Yu can even bring in images such as cmpany lgs r pictures that supprt the data. CONCLUSION SAS Enterprise Guide prvides a pwerful and flexible envirnment t let yu fcus yur time and energies n finding and delivering actinable insights fr effective decisin making. Instead f learning and writing SAS prgrams, yu can explre the built-in tasks and capabilities t fulfill yur reprting and analytics needs. RECOMMENDED READING Fr additinal SAS Enterprise Guide presentatins and explanatins, please see Jin the Enterprise Guide Cmmunity, and ther cmmunities at cmmunities.sas.cm 17

18 CONTACT INFORMATION Yur cmments and questins are valued and encuraged. Cntact the authr at: Marje Fecht Prwerk Cnsulting SAS and all ther SAS Institute Inc. prduct r service names are registered trademarks r trademarks f SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and ther cuntries. indicates USA registratin. Other brand and prduct names are trademarks f their respective cmpanies. 18