That's what I was starting do. Sql is the best place for this, then I will get the field lenght from the database. I'm a sql guy trying to do...

The col.datatype gets me a string but no max length. Is it possible to get max length?

Not a bad way to get it done. Thank You.

I thought it might, but no. Not the fields in the dataset which come from the view inbeaded in a stored procedure.

I am in 100% agreement. The sql documentation on encryption had my brain hurting. But I must add that SQL books online is an excellant tool. Mike, your suggestions were...