Thnx, Ron Then I get for this COL1/P6 =3D IF ((DECODE FUND(GS ELSE 'X') NE 'X' ) AND ( HOUSING EQ '1' OR '2' ) ) THEN O_B ELSE '0'; I get this COL1/P6 =3D IF ((DECODE FUND(GS ELSE 'X') NE 'X' ) ERROR AT OR NEAR LINE 54 IN PROCEDURE ADHO0503FOCEXEC FOC272) FORMAT ERROR IN DECODE OR FILE ELEMENT: X AND ( HOUSING EQ '1' OR '2' ) ) THEN O_B ELSE '0'; GS points to a file with a list of funds but if I make col1 /a001 Then no error. ????? bobh