Statisticians often spend more time programming and supervising the programming for tables than they spend on the statistical analyses reported in the tables. Features new in versions 7 and 8 of SAS coupled with XML make it possible to reduce this programming load by automating analysis steps.

The innovative use of XML reported here uses it, instead of the usual labor-intensive programming effort, to integrate statistical analysis with the tables that report the analysis. In the integration, XML works with SAS software to retrieve information from a database and deliver it composed, styled, and ready-to-use to XMLenabled publishing software.

An innovative use of a new, non-proprietary, open source software technology streamlines production of statistical tables and, consequently, clinical study reports, health authority applications, and publications.