Data can be missing from a report row or column because it is not relevant. The missing or inapplicable value is indicated by the NODATA default character, a period (.).

Tip: You may specify a more meaningful NODATA value by issuing the SET NODATA command (see Setting the NODATA Character String).

The following request shows how the default NODATA character displays missing data in a report.

TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT CURR_SAL
BY LAST_NAME
BY FIRST_NAME
ACROSS DEPARTMENT
END

The output is:

The salary for an employee working in the production department displays in the PRODUCTION column. The salary for an employee working in the MIS department displays in the MIS column. The corresponding value in the PRODUCTION or MIS column, respectively, is missing because the salary displays only under the department where the person is employed.