Reference > Commands > H (horizontal label)

The form of the H (horizontal label) command is one of the following:

H variable = labels,

H table = labels,

H = labels,

The H command assigns text to be used to label the columns of a table (banner). The first two forms assign text to a variable or table by name; in the third form the text is assigned to the last variable or table defined.

A banner label is expected for every table unless it is defined under F=NPTB or the table is a suppress heading table (+T or F=CON). Most tables receive banner labels from the variable that is used for the columns or "top" of the table. A warning for missing text will be issued if no banner label is supplied. A warning appears if an H is assigned to a suppress heading table, where it will not be used.

If a banner label is assigned to a table or variable which already has an H assigned to it, the new text replaces the old one, and a warning message appears.

IMPORTANT: there is no point in allocating different text to tables or variables during a CL script because only the last allocated text is used.

Formats RLW (Row Label Width) and CLW (Column Label Width) specify the positioning of the banner labels on the page. RLW specifies the indentation across the page; CLW specifies the number of positions on the line each column's label is to occupy. If the text specified for any line of a label exceeds CLW, it is split automatically. The program provides extra space according to format CLG (Column Label Gap) between each column's label

Extra space is allowed between banner header groups with format CHG (column Header Gap), standard value CHG3.

Additional space can be given to individual columns using label control <I> (indent).

If the total width of a table exceeds the setting of the SPL (Spaces Per Line) format, the table will overflow horizontally and present the remainder of the columns on the next page. Control over horizontal overflow can be achieved by means of label control <P>, and also through format PHG (Preserve Header Groups), which prevents overflow within specified header groups.

Banner labels are right-adjusted when printed. Headers are centred.

The number of labels specified, separated by the delimiter set by format CDI, must be equal to the number of columns in the table, excluding totals, or to the number of bits in the variable, to which the labels are assigned.

The header feature, a text string terminated by the delimiter set by format CDH, works as follows in banner labels: the string is centred at print time over the labels following, down to the next header, or to the end of the labels. If the header is too long to fit over the labels following, it is split.

The overheader feature, a text string terminated by the delimiter set by format CDO, works as for headers, except that all overheaders are placed above the headers.

The superheader feature, a text string terminated by the delimiter set by format CDS, works as for overheaders, except that all superheaders are placed above the overheaders.

Format UCH can be specified to underline headers. Format UCL can be used to underline labels.

Examples of H commands:

h #22 = #22a + #22b,

h $age = 'Age categories\16-34;35-54;55+',

h = 'Reasons for buying\Cheaper;Better

quality;None',