Data element MCSs are used to define replacements for data elements, which are elements other than macros, modules, program elements, and source code. These include TSO CLISTs, help panels, ISPF dialog panels, and online publications libraries. For a complete description of data elements, see the section on SMP/E modification control statements in SMP/E for z/OS Reference. You can add a data element by packaging it in a USERMOD.

++element(name)             /* Data element type, name */
     DISTLIB(dlibname)      /* DLIB ddname             */.
…
… Data element replacement
…

To be packaged inline, a data element must contain fixed-block 80 records. If the original format of the element is not fixed-block 80 records, you can use GIMDTS, a service routine provided with SMP/E, to transform the element into the required format before packaging it. Later, when SMP/E installs the element, it is reconverted to its original format. For more information about using GIMDTS, see SMP/E for z/OS Reference.