Variable Options

You can use any of the variable options described in the chapter “Variable Options” with the TAB command. Also, following four variable options can be used only with the TAB command. Note the links where you can find examples for using these options.

DIFF: Use this option in a tabular report organized by time or date. This option creates a column displaying the percentage of change in the variable value between time intervals. See DIFF Option-Percentage of Change Between Time Intervals in this chapter.
RANGE: Use this option for a report to test range criteria that is applied after all data is read and before a report is printed. For an example, see Use the RANGE Option in this chapter. Also see the RANGE command in How the RANGE Command Specifies Ranges in this chapter.
RIGHT: Use this option to shift the column for a variable to the right. For an example, see RIGHT Option-Shift the Column for a Variable to the Right in this chapter.
SELECT: Use this option to apply to a variable the period specified with an INCLUDE or EXCLUDE command. For an example, see SELECT Option-Specify a Time Period for a Variable in this chapter.

An example using the RATE option is shown in RATE OPTION-Display a Rate Instead of a Count in this chapter. This option is used with a variable that usually displays a count, but in this instance, displays the rate for the variable instead.