Statistical Analysis System (SAS) defaulting to HyperText Markup Language (HTML) as the primary download format for results often stems from configuration settings within the SAS environment or specific procedure options. This behavior signifies that the output delivery system (ODS) in SAS is configured to prioritize HTML output. The system’s default settings or user-defined preferences dictate the format in which results are presented. An example is when a specific ODS statement to create HTML output is explicitly included in the SAS code. In such cases, irrespective of other possible formats, SAS will generate HTML output.
Utilizing HTML as the standard export format provides several advantages. It promotes easy distribution and viewing across different platforms and web browsers. HTML reports are readily accessible without requiring specialized software, facilitating broader dissemination and collaboration. Historically, HTML’s widespread adoption across various operating systems and its ability to incorporate multimedia elements has made it a popular choice for reporting. It simplifies the sharing of results with non-SAS users.
