BL_FORMAT_OPT= LIBNAME Statement Option

Specifies format options for bulk loading CSV files.

Valid in: SAS/ACCESS LIBNAME statement
Categories: Bulk Loading
Data Set Control
Default: None
Restriction: Do not specify the COMPRESSION or FIELD_DELIMITER options with BL_FORMAT_OPT=. Specify those options with the BL_COMPRESS= and BL_DELIMITER= LIBNAME options, respectively.
Data source: Spark
Note: Support for this option was added in SAS 9.4M9.
See: BL_FORMAT= LIBNAME option
Example:
bl_format_opt="maxColumns='3'"

Table of Contents

Syntax

BL_FORMAT_OPT="option" | "option='value'"

Required Argument

value

specifies format options or option-value pairs for CSV files. Separate multiple options or option-value pairs with a comma.

Details

Spark: This option is used when the Spark engine bulk loads data in Databricks. For more information, see Bulk Loading and Unloading to Databricks in Azure.

Last updated: February 3, 2026