Format models and the format model processor can be used for purposes other than formatting control blocks. They can be used for decoding flag bytes where each bit has a unique significance. You can construct a model of subheaders, where each one of the subheaders has a unique general view definition that corresponds to the bit position in the flag byte. To perform the decoding, take the contents of the flag byte and use it for the view control in field ADPLPFMT. Put the address of the model in field ADPLPPTR and call the format model processor service. A nonzero buffer address should be provided to prevent any storage access attempt by the format model processor service.

Another use of models is to present summarized dump data. This is done by moving the data into a locally defined structure and creating a model with labels, offsets and lengths corresponding to the structure.