Thanks Jeff, yes, it has been a long time

many thanks for the solution

that's great, thanks

thanks David, I've just worked out to do it. I use ROWCOUNT instead. This seem to work for me

set rowcount 4

select * from table order by field desc

set rowcount 0

Thanks Jeff, you've both helped

thanks Matt, that's great

Many thanks Jeff, that's very handy. I will take your comments on board.

Mick

Thanks Jeff, the thing is although the database already has just over a thousand records it's still only in it's early stages and as yet isn't being used, I'd only...

Thanks for the quick response Paul, but I don't understand what this actually does.

What I'd like to do if at all possible is insert all the new records I need...

that's brilliant, thanks

Many thanks, I had just done that when you're reply came through, why I didn't do that in the first place I'll never know !

Thanks lads, it all works now thanks to you

I've just added your code to my Stored Procedure and when I do a Check syntax I get the following error message

invalid colomn name 'tablename'

invalid colomn name 'colomnname'

Thanks David

That's true, but what's a 'NOT' between friends