I have another column which contains lot, block, plan info for a town in the format llll-b-ppp. I need to create 3 separate columns( lot, block, and plan). The problem is that Lot# varies from 0-5 digits, and Plan# varies from 3-4. I'm not sure which commands to use to select the appropriate values from the existing column in creating the 3 new ones, or how to work around the "-" between each value. If anyone has any insight...much appreciated! Natalie Swayze ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MAPINFO-L" in the message body, or contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]