Thank you all for your replies.

This discussion has definately improved my understanding of the subject.

I find it fascinating when the experts get involved and contribute to my threads - I...

Gsquared,

Thank you very much, that helped my understanding tremendously.

Regards,

Pete

fawwad, Alvin

Thanks to you both for your replies.

fawwad,

Referring to your post for a minute. The three tables I posted were obviously a simplified example of my real-life issue but the...

GSquared

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I am familiar with the "ON" clause but cant see how it relates to three tables

i.e. Using my example

select * from tableA

left outer join (say)

tableB

on

tableA.field1=tableB.field1...