What is the difference between an XPORT and CPORT file format?

The SAS Transport file format (XPORT) is an openly documented file specification maintained by SAS, a commercial company with a variety of software products for statistics and business analytics. The CPORT file format is not openly documented. In Oracle Clinical One Platform, SAS Transport File Formats are currently running on Version 8.

If you need to make a decision on what file format to choose when extracting data for regulatory submissions, learn more about the differences between the SAS Transport file formats XPORT and CPORT. For more information, see SAS Transport File Format (XPORT) Family. Moreover, we recommend you consult the SAS Help Center.

XPORT file format

CPORT file format

Designed primarily to support short-term transfer of data sets between statistical software systems Not designed for long-term archiving Consists of records 80 bytes in length Character data is stored in ASCII, regardless of the operating system Runs on Version 8 in Oracle Clinical One Platform Recommended for statisticians and data managers extracting data during the study conduct period for data analysis purposes

Designed only for transfer between statistical software systems running compatible versions of the CPORT files Not compatible with XPORT file formats Not openly documented, so there is very little information available about the file format Data in this file format can be compressed and the file may be password-protected Recommended for statisticians and data managers extracting data for regulatory submissions to the FDA or other regulatory agencies