SAS Enterprise Guide: Identifying Errors in the Log

This post was kindly contributed by Business Intelligence Notes for SAS® BI Users - go there to comment and to read the full post.

In an earlier post, I provided a check log program that you could use with your batch jobs. There was some really interesting discussions in the Comments about using SAS Enterprise Guide with the log. Here’s some tips I have for working with the SAS Enterprise Guide logs – everything from some quick tips to changing the style.

Cruising the SAS EG Log

When you run a program in SAS EG, if there are issues then a red x appears on the Program icon (1) and the Log pane (2) becomes the focus, as shown in the following figure. When you log has error or warning messages, you can use the arrows (3) to move to the next or return to the last – this is convenient especially when the log stretches from here to Saturn’s inner most rings. As you click the arrow – each error or warning message becomes the focus.

Adding Some Swagger to Your Log

Does your log lack umph? Lacking style? Got no swagger? Why not dress up the messages so they are identified a little easier? From the Tools > Options window do the following:

Select SAS Programs from the list. The panel changes to the SAS Programs.
Select Editor Options to display the Enhanced Editor Options window.
Select Appearance. From here you can change the way the SAS program and SAS Log file settings display.

To change your SAS Log File appearance, do the following:

Select SAS Log File from the File type drop-down.
From the File elements list, select Error. Use the Foreground, Background, and Font Style options to change how the Error Message appears. I like adding the Bright Yellow background with Red letters because you cannot miss it.
Save the changes. You can edit the settings for other items, such as the Warning message. Go ahead – play around til you find something really tacky to annoy your co-workers when they are looking over your shoulder.

Note: I am using SAS EG 4.3 – however, I think the color changing is available with BASE SAS as well.

Do you use any of the other Log Check Options in SAS EG? I noticed others had mentioned the Project Log feature – I have never used it so I’m not sure what it’s purpose would be – do you know? Add a comment below.

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